AANK13010U Field Methods with Synopsis

Volume 2013/2014
Content

The purpose of the course is to equip students with the skills to plan and execute an ethnographic field study of considerable duration.

The course introduces students to advanced anthropological methodology, critical reflections and ethical considerations relevant to their field of study. Students will write a synopsis demonstrating that the planned fieldwork is feasible, well-planned and thorough attention has been given to its analytical, methodological and ethical aspects. If project-oriented work (internship) is planned, the student must demonstrate how this form of fieldwork can be used for data generation.

Three obligatory papers must be approved by the course lecturer. These papers consist of: a field delimitation and two synopsis drafts.

When the fieldwork is executed within the context of a private business or organisation, a contract between the student, the organisation and the Department of Anthropology must be signed. The student signs the contract in cooperation with the supervisor and unit Anthropological Analysis. The contract ensures the student's right to generate data during the internship or period of fieldwork, sets down guidelines for the use and publication of data, and outlines procedures that are to be followed should disagreements arise between the student and the company/organisation. The contract must be approved and signed by the relevant parties and must as far as possible be handed in as an appendix to the synopsis. Students can find a standard agreement for cooperation with 3rd parties at the website of the Department of Anthropology.

Learning Outcome

The purpose of the course is to equip students with the skills to plan and
execute an ethnographic field study of considerable duration.


In order to pass course, the students must write an academic synopsis. The synopsis should be written in a clear language, be lucidly argued and exhibit that the student is capable of:


  • planning anthropological fieldwork of considerable duration, based on a problem statement developed by the student

  • becoming familiar with and making informed use of relevant regional and thematic literature


  • outlining the proposed problem statement in relation to the chosen field’s local, social and historical context

  • demonstrating and describe the literature search process and the choice of relevant literature.

  • evaluating the relevance of different anthropological methods in relation to the defined research project.

  • incorporating considerations for relevant methods and possible analytical perspectives

  • evaluating the feasibility of the project

  • reflecting on the ethical aspects of the project



Students must also fulfil the Department of Anthropology's form and language requirements (see Curriculum 4.3.2 for more about form and
language requirements).

 

Literature
Approx. 700 pages of obligatory literature
Lectures, student participation, practical exercises, synopsis workshops. In addition, there will be 3 meetings per synopsis with a supervisor of approx. 45 minutes.
The supervision can be either individual supervision or individual supervision in groups. Supervision in groups consists of students assigned to the same supervisor, typically 2 to 3 students. The students will usually have a common thematic or theoretical interest in their projects. The basic idea is that the students receive individual supervision in turns, and that the other students will learn from listening to comments that relate to fellow students' work.
It is still possible for students to receive individual supervision without being in a supervision group, if students or teachers so prefers. However individual supervision without a supervision group can mean that you will not get the supervisor for whom you have applied.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 25
  • Exam
  • 37
  • Guidance
  • 2,25
  • Preparation
  • 285,25
  • Seminar
  • 63
  • Total
  • 412,50
Credit
12,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Written paper: Synopsis
Length: Min. 18,000 - max. 22.000 keystrokes for individual papers. For group
papers, plus an additional min. 4.500 - max.5.500 keystrokes per extra Group member. Appendix max. 5,000 keystrokes
The synopsis is submitted individually unless students plan to carry out fieldwork as a group. Read more about the rules for group examinations
in the Curriculum 4.3.1.

The Synopsis and the appendix will be evaluated on the basis of the stipulated aims for the course (see description of aims). See also the Synopsis- and Appendix Content listed below (see requirements for the examination).

The appendix must include app. 700 pages of readings (+ 250 additional pages per extra group member)
Exam registration requirements
In order to be eligible to take the Synopsis exam, the student must submit and have approved three obligatory papers, give a presentation during the course, and participate in the synopsis workshop (give feedback to fellow students).
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
There is appointed a second internal assessor to assist with the assessment when the first assessor finds this necessary.
Re-exam
1st Re-examination
A new Synopsis with a revised problem statement is submitted on the prescribed date. The student must participate in the examination in order to be eligible for re-examination. The student must register for the reexamination.
2nd Re-examination
A new Synopsis with a revised problem statement is submitted during the next exam period, on a prescribed date. The students must register for the exam.
Criteria for exam assesment

See description of learning outcome. Formalities for Written Works must be fulfilled, read more: MSc Students


The following should be present in the Synopsis:
• a problem statement and a short justification of the fieldwork's relevance and perspective
• a few (2-5) research+/- 10 %  questions, developed from the problem statement
• an account of and justification for the analytical framework
• a presentation of the fieldwork’s specific geographic and socio-cultural aspects
• a description and justification of the choice of methods to be utilized in the proposed research project. The choice of methods must be  relevant to theoretical deliberations pertaining to the chosen empirical field, including considerations of how and what kind of field data  can be gathered. Further, methodology must be specifically discussed in relation to the research questions chosen and to the timetable  set for the proposed Fieldwork.
• an account of the ethical considerations relevant to the proposed research project
• a timetable for the fieldwork and a budget (these may be enclosed in an appendix).

Appendix
The appendix for the synopsis must include a list of references that reflect the key aspects of the project. A standard list of references includes choice of methods, ethnography and theoretical/analytical approaches.

The appendix must include reflections on how the literature has been found and chosen, and including reflections on opt-outs. Maximum 5000 key strokes.

For further information on content and guidance for the appendix, please see the guideline. The appendix guideline can be found on the intranet.

Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Length: Min. 18,000 - max. 22.000 keystrokes for individual papers. For group
papers, plus an additional min. 4.500 - max.5.500 keystrokes per extra Group member. Appendix max. 5,000 keystrokes
The synopsis is submitted individually unless students plan to carry out fieldwork as a group. Read more about the rules for group examinations in the Curriculum 4.3.1.

The Synopsis and the appendix will be evaluated on the basis of the stipulated aims for the course (see description of aims). See also the Synopsis- and Appendix Content listed below (see requirements for the examination).

The appendix must include app. 700 pages of readings (+ 250 additional pages per extra group member)
Exam registration requirements
In order to be eligible to take the Synopsis exam, the student must submit and have approved three obligatory papers, give a presentation during the course, and participate in the synopsis workshop (give feedback to fellow students).
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam
1st Re-examination
A new Synopsis with a revised problem statement is submitted on the prescribed date. The student must participate in the examination in order to be eligible for re-examination. The student must register for the re-examination.
2nd Re-examination
A new Synopsis with a revised problem statement is submitted during the next exam period, on a prescribed date. The students must register for the exam.
Criteria for exam assesment

See description of learning outcome. Formalities for Written Works must be fulfilled, read more: MSc Students


The following should be present in the Synopsis:
• a problem statement and a short justification of the fieldwork's relevance and perspective
• a few (2-5) research+/- 10 % questions, developed from the problem statement
• an account of and justification for the analytical framework
• a presentation of the fieldwork’s specific geographic and socio-cultural aspects
• a description and justification of the choice of methods to be utilized in the proposed research project. The choice of methods must be relevant to theoretical deliberations pertaining to the chosen empirical field, including considerations of how and what kind of field data can be gathered. Further, methodology must be specifically discussed in relation to the research questions chosen and to the timetable set for the proposed Fieldwork.
• an account of the ethical considerations relevant to the proposed research project
• a timetable for the fieldwork and a budget (these may be enclosed in an appendix).

Appendix
The appendix for the synopsis must include a list of references that reflect the key aspects of the project. A standard list of references includes choice of methods, ethnography and theoretical/analytical approaches.

The appendix must include reflections on how the literature has been found and chosen, and including reflections on opt-outs. Maximum 5000 key strokes.

For further information on content and guidance for the appendix, please see the guideline. The appendix guideline can be found on the intranet.