SOCI0071-1 : Building a fieldwork methodology

University of Liege | Version française

Study programmes 2011-2012

Last update : 14/06/2012

SOCI0071-1

Building a fieldwork methodology

Duration :

30h Th, 30h Pr

Number of credits :

Master in Anthropology, in-depth approach, 1st year	First semester	6

Master in Anthropology, Teaching Focus, 1st year	First semester	6

Master in Anthropology, specialized approach in applied anthropology, 1st year	First semester	6

Master en anthropologie, à finalité spécialisée en anthropologie des dynamiques sociales et du développement, 1st year	First semester	6

Master in Sociology and Anthropology	First semester	6

Lecturer :

Benjamin Rubbers

Language(s) of instruction :

French language

Course contents :

This course will consist in a cooperative research effort in Liege. Students will first be asked to read some articles, to discuss them as a group, and then to define a problematic related to them. Next, they will have to go into the field for the purpose of producing a case study, combining observations and interviews. At each class meeting, a student will present his or her results, interpretations and difficulties, and then listen to commentaries and suggestions from the group. At the end of the research students will turn in a paper.

Learning outcomes of the course :

The main purpose is to place students in a situation that will help them develop the professional skills of a social science researcher. At the end of the course, students will be able to define a problematic, to choose a method appropriate to the subject of research, to conduct interviews and make observations in a practical and efficient manner, to interpret the data produced in this way through appropriate techniques and finally, to present their results by means of a written synthesis.
According to the subject chosen by students, the research carried out in this course can also be envisaged as an opportunity to develop contacts with professionals in the field, and to show them the gains to be drawn from an anthropological analysis in their everyday practice.

Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :

Having the desire to come in contact with ethnographic reality in the field.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

The course will take place during the first term.