Fieldwork Methodology

Duration

30h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Elodie Razy

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Ethnographic practice which originally developed during the major discoveries and subsequently during the European colonial adventure became institutionalised in the 20th Century. It has seen many new developments in recent decades, notably in Western societies. Principally based on the practice of participative observation, the collation of spontaneous speech and informal interviews, fieldwork can only be understood in the light of the history of anthropology (from pre-ethnology to the present day), from its developments and the controversies which it has known and which it continues to provoke today. The course aims to outline the contours of an epistemological framework of ethnographic practice. It will take a critical look at texts, conferences and methodological and epistemological questions leading to individual experimentation based on practical exercises and a short fieldwork.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Students will acquire a critical knowledge of the past and contemporaneous discussions and controversies regarding the ethnographic practice within and without the discipline. Students will also have become familiar with the requirements and practical modalities of individual methodological and epistemological exploration through a practical exercises and a short ethnographic fieldwork.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

None

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures, readings, discussions,  conferences, students' accounts,  videos, ethnographic fieldwork.

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

Lectures.

Recommended or required readings

Students will have to read publications and two books; they will receive a selective bibliography and a filmography as well as a list of sites (written and video sources) and methodological advice to improve their reading skills.

Assessment methods and criteria

Students will write two reports (the instructions, assessment methods and criteria concerning this exercise will be given on MyULg and explained during classes).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The course will take place in the first term (all sessions are compulsory).
Compulsory sessions with a student will be organized.

Contacts

I meet with students by appointment
Office 2.36 (B31)

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