21A.112 Seminar in Ethnography and Fieldwork, Fall 2003

Abstract

Introduction to ethnographic practices: the study of and communicating about culture. Reading and discussion of classics of anthropological field work, contemporary critiques, and innovative practices. From the course home page: Course Description This course involves reading about how to do fieldwork, practicing fieldwork, reading ethnographies and about ethnography, and practicing writing ethnography. We will move from an overview of ethnography, to getting into the field, to writing fieldnotes, to analyzing data and writing a short ethnographic piece. We will, as you must in doing fieldwork and writing ethnographies, intersperse reading with fieldwork to theoretically inform both the fieldwork and the writing. The ethics of fieldwork and obligations to research subjects are discussed throughout the semester.