Choice of Ethnographic Essay or Research Report

Individual Field notebook to be submitted end of semester

This subject offers students the opportunity to develop high level skills in critical ethnographic practice. It raises questions regarding the epistemological and methodological assumptions of an ethnographic approach. The subject considers the history of ethnography, its ethical and practical challenges, and probes into some of the philosophical, political, and ethical issues concerning cultural representation. Students explore different genres of ethnographic representation, such as classic realist ethnography, interpretive ethnography, narrative ethnography, auto-ethnography, critical ethnography, sensory ethnography and experimental ethnography. The aim is not only to learn about but also to practice various methods. To that end, students will engage in research and writing exercises, plan research projects, and then conduct authentic research in the field during a 2-3 day field trip linked to the subject. Students will explore developments in the craft of ethnographic writing and experiment with different writing strategies and various other creative media for portraying social and cultural worlds in vivid and compelling ways. The subject encourages students to learn through practical application of the tools that ethnography provides to understand, change, and critically analyse the world in which we live.

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103404 Master of Social Science, 118204 Master of Global Development, 103406 Graduate Diploma of Social Science, 118206 Graduate Diploma of Global Development, 118211 Graduate Certificate of Global Development, 122204 Master of Public Health - Master of Global Development

103404 Master of Social Science, 118204 Master of Global Development, 103406 Graduate Diploma of Social Science, 118206 Graduate Diploma of Global Development, 118211 Graduate Certificate of Global Development, 122204 Master of Public Health - Master of Global Development Offerings: All

AN5007 - Ethnography in Practice

Ethnography in Practice

Critically analyse the epistemological and methodological assumptions of an ethnographic approach

Demonstrate knowledge of ethical considerations regarding research with human subjects

Evaluate the significance, strengths and limitations of ethnography in addressing contemporary research needs

Practice and apply ethnographic methods in the conduct of an authentic research project

Critically assess ethnographic writing to understand the choices made by the author in the process of representation

Skillfully draw on ethnographic research tools to produce an essay or other work that critically analyses a particular social situation, problem or issue