Fall 2018 - SA 356W D100
Ethnography and Qualitative Methods (SA) (4)
Class Number: 2086
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Thu, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Jenny Shaw
jeshaw@sfu.ca
Office: AQ 5078
Office Hours: TH 12:30-13:30
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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:
Participant observation, interviewing, textual analysis, and visual analysis are key methods involved in ethnographic, sociological, anthropological, critical feminist, and participatory research. This course provides students with the opportunity to learn about the significance and limitations of these research methods and practice their implementation through a life story research project. Students will learn how to create thoughtful research questions, work through ethical dilemmas, generate rich data, and analyze findings. Students will also practice and refine their writing skills through a series of assignments and a final report.
We will focus on two interrelated activities in this course. The first consists of reading diverse anthropological and sociological literature on research methods. Students will provide critically written analytical responses that engage with these readings and contribute to class discussions. The second involves original research projects that students will undertake throughout the term. This research project entails conducting an interview, participant observation, and document or image analysis pertaining to the life story of an individual. Through this course students will enhance their understanding of how methods and theories work together to shape knowledge production, why a reflexive stance is imperative to qualitative research, and how to write accurately and critically.
Grading
- Attendance and participation 10%
- Midterm exam 20%
- Ethnographic methods analysis 20%
- Life Story Research Project:
- Participant interview 10%
- Participation-observation field notes 10%
- Document or image analysis 10%
- Final research report 20%
NOTES:
Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, you will be assigned an N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology and 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: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
De León, J. (2015). The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail. Berkeley: University of California Press.
ISBN: 978-0-520282759
Mannik, L. and McGarry, K. (2017). Practicing Ethnography: A Student Guide to Method and Methodology. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
ISBN: 978-1-487593124
Other readings will be available through the SFU Library.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS