University of Essex

SC277-5-FY-CO:
Ethnographic Research Methods

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Sociology and Criminology

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Undergraduate: Level 5

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 28 June 2024

Credits: 30

Last updated: 26 May 2023

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): SC831, SC832

Key module for

BA LL36 Social Anthropology,
BA LL3P Social Anthropology (Including Year Abroad),
BA LL6P Social Anthropology (Including Placement Year),
BA LL37 Social Anthropology with Human Rights,
BA LL38 Social Anthropology with Human Rights (Including Year Abroad),
BA LL39 Social Anthropology with Human Rights (Including Placement Year)

Module description

The module offers the methods elements for the Anthropology degree scheme and incorporates basic ethnographic research methods. The autumn term will cover the theories, ethics and philosophical and conceptual bases of ethnographic research methods. We will focus on ethnographies and articles that critically discuss ethnographic research methods in preparation for the mini ethnographies students will conduct in the spring term.

Module aims

The module aims to provide students with a basic understanding of ethnographic research methods so they can apply and practice such methods in the field, interpret and critically analyse data and write a mini ethnography.

Module learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of theories, philosophies and critiques of ethnographic research methods.
2. Develop cultural sensitivity and proper ethical frameworks to conduct research in different social and cultural contexts.
3. Develop necessary skills to formulate a research proposal.
4. Apply ethnographic research methods to conduct field research.
5. Demonstrate analytical articulation and writing skills by completing a mini ethnography.

Module information

Students are required to read the assigned material for the week in advance. The autumn term sessions will focus on ethnographies and associated critical readings. These sessions will be characterised by a mixed format of lecturing, discussion, group activity, and film clip discussion.

Learning and teaching methods

No information available.

Bibliography

Joost Fontein (2014) ‘Doing research: anthropology and ethnographic fieldwork’, in N. Konopinski (ed.) Doing anthropological research: a practical guide. Abingdon: Routledge. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=631918&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_55.
Sunstein, B.S. and Chiseri-Strater, E. (2012a) ‘Chapter 1: "Stepping in and Stepping out”’, in Fieldworking: reading and writing research. Fourth edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.
Konopinski, N. (ed.) (2014) ‘Ethics’, in Doing anthropological research: a practical guide. Abingdon: Routledge. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=631918&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_91.
Robben, A.C.G.M. and Sluka, J.A. (2012a) ‘Confronting the Ethics of Ethnography: Lessons From Fieldwork in Central America’, in Ethnographic fieldwork: an anthropological reader. 2nd ed. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Davies, C.A. (2008) ‘Observing, participating’, in Reflexive ethnography: a guide to researching selves and others. 2nd ed. London: Routledge. Available at: https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=476657&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_77.
Robben, A.C.G.M. and Sluka, J.A. (2007a) ‘Senses’, in Ethnographic fieldwork: an anthropological reader. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
Owens, G.R. (2003a) ‘What! Me a Spy?’, Ethnography, 4(1), pp. 122–144. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1466138103004001006.
Scheper-Hughes, N. (2000a) ‘Ire in Ireland’, Ethnography, 1(1), pp. 117–140. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/14661380022230660.
Thompson, A. et al. (2021a) ‘Ethical considerations and challenges for using digital ethnography to research vulnerable populations’, Journal of Business Research, 124, pp. 676–683. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.02.025.
Owens, G.R. (2003b) ‘What! Me a Spy?’, Ethnography, 4(1), pp. 122–144. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1466138103004001006.
Scheper-Hughes, N. (2000b) ‘Ire in Ireland’, Ethnography, 1(1), pp. 117–140. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/14661380022230660.
Thompson, A. et al. (2021b) ‘Ethical considerations and challenges for using digital ethnography to research vulnerable populations’, Journal of Business Research, 124, pp. 676–683. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.02.025.
Smith, L.T. (2021) ‘Imperialism, History, Writing, and Theory’, in Decolonizing methodologies: research and indigenous peoples. Third edition. London [England]: Zed Books, pp. 20–43. Available at: https://essex.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=4676627020007346&institutionId=7346&customerId=7345.
Uddin, N. (2011) ‘Decolonising ethnography in the field: an anthropological account’, International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 14(6), pp. 455–467. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2011.611382.
Ralph LaRossa (1984) ‘Teaching Family Sociology through Case Studies’, Teaching Sociology, 11(3). Available at: https://www-jstor-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/stable/1318308?sid=primo#metadata_info_tab_contents.
Molly George (2013) ‘Teaching Focus Group Interviewing: Benefits and Challenges’, Teaching Sociology, 41(3), pp. 257–270. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/43186511.
John Beverley (1991) ‘“Through All Things Modern”: Second Thoughts on Testimonio’, boundary 2, 18(2). Available at: https://www-jstor-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/stable/303277?sid=primo#metadata_info_tab_contents.
Spradley, J.P. (1979) The ethnographic interview. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Sunstein, B.S. and Chiseri-Strater, E. (2012b) Fieldworking: reading and writing research. Fourth edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.
Jaji, R. (2018) Reflexive Ethnography and Refugee Research. 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP United Kingdom : SAGE Publications Ltd. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781526428615.
Adams, T.E., Ellis, C. and Jones, S.H. (2017) ‘Autoethnography’, in J. Matthes, C.S. Davis, and R.F. Potter (eds) The International Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. Wiley, pp. 1–11. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118901731.iecrm0011.
John Marc Cuellar (2017) ‘Marriage or Mirage?’, in Sandra L. Pensoneau-Conway (ed.) Doing Autoethnography. Brill. Available at: https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789463511582/BP000007.xml.
Norwood, C.R. (2018) ‘Decolonizing my hair, unshackling my curls: an autoethnography on what makes my natural hair journey a Black feminist statement’, International Feminist Journal of Politics, 20(1), pp. 69–84. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616742.2017.1369890.
Ellis, C. et al. (2018) ‘Coming Unhinged: A Twice-Told Multivoiced Autoethnography’, Qualitative Inquiry, 24(2), pp. 119–133. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800416684874.
Hine, C. (2017) ‘Ethnographies of Online Communities and Social Media: Modes, Varieties, Affordances’, in The SAGE Handbook of Online Research Methods. 2nd edn. 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP : SAGE Publications Ltd. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473957992.
Pink, S. (2015) Digital ethnography: Principles and practice, 14. London: SAGE Publications. Available at: https://essex.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=4676666820007346&institutionId=7346&customerId=7345.
Kraemer, J. (2017) ‘Doing Fieldwork, brb: Locating the Field on and with Emerging Media’, eFieldnotes: the Makings of Anthropology in the Digital World, 58(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/AN.286.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Final presentation ethnography	5%
Coursework	Ethnography discussion (1200 words)	15%
Coursework	Participant observation essay (2000 words)	35%
Coursework	Ethnography	40%
Practical	Reading Presentation (in class)	5%

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Prof Sandya Hewamanne, email: skhewa@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Professor Sandya Hewamanne

Contact details: E-mail: socugrad@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: Yes

Available to Audit: Yes

External examiner

Name: Dr Umut Erel

Institution: Open University

Academic role: Senior Lecturer

Name: Dr Aneira Edmunds

Institution: School of Law, Politics & Sociology

Academic role: Senior Lecturer

Name: Dr Paul Gilbert

Institution: University of Sussex

Academic role: Senior Lecturer in International Development

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 38 hours, 36 (94.7%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Sociology and Criminology

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Module Directory

SC277-5-FY-CO:Ethnographic Research Methods