Fall 2021 - SA 356W D100
Ethnography and Qualitative Methods (SA) (4)
Class Number: 5345
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 8, 2021
Wed, 6:00–6:00 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Pamela Stern
pstern@sfu.ca
Office Hours: We 14:00-16:00 or by appointment
-
Prerequisites:
SA 255.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An examination of qualitative field methods, including participant observation, interviewing, archival research, cross-cultural research, life histories, network analysis, mapping, and ethical problems of fieldwork. Writing.
COURSE DETAILS:
Qualitative methods—ethnography, participant observation, and interviewing—are core research activities in sociocultural anthropology and sociology. This course is intended to give students the opportunity to learn how to employ these and other qualitative methods by engaging in a series of integrated research activities and a real qualitative research project. This class outlines the basic tasks of qualitative field research. Students will learn how to formulate a fruitful question, work through personal and ethical dilemmas raised by field research, and record, analyze, and formally present qualitative findings.
SA356W is time demanding class that involves experiential learning. Many of the assignments involve data collection in the community and may include interactions with people who are unknown to the student.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
At the end of this course students should be able to:
- Read social science articles and identify the research question and the research methods (described or implicit);
- Articulate general ethical protocols and be able recognize ethical research;
- Be able to practice several different methods of data collection in relation to a specific topic or area of sociology/anthropology inquiry;
- Explain research question and recruit participants to a study;
- Engage in data analysis that involves integrating more than one piece of information;
- Share findings in oral, visual, digital and/or written forms.
Grading
- Ethnographic exercises (4 x 10%) 40%
- Multi-part term project 35%
- Weekly Canvas quizzes 20%
- Class attendance and participation 5%
NOTES:
Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.
Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:
A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.
Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Downe, Pamela J. (2021). Collective Care: Indigenous Motherhood, Family, and HIV/AIDS. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Print ISBN: 978-1-487587635
VitalSource eText ISBN: 978-1-487587659
Podcasts, videos, journal articles and book chapters (available through CANVAS)
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021
Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place. Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes. You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).
Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required. You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.