AANK13010U Field Methods with Synopsis
The purpose of the course is twofold: 1) to prepare students to carry out an ethnographic field study of considerable duration; and 2) to help them develop the skills necessary for writing an effective and convincing project proposal.
The course introduces students to advanced anthropological methodology, critical reflections and ethical considerations relevant to their field of study. It also focuses on demonstrating the social or academic relevance of the project and encouraging cooperation and co-working between students. 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 literature review 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.
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 the social or academic relevance of the proposed project
- 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).
Approx. 700 pages of literature, of which 100-150 pages is obligatory course literatureAnd the remainder is to be chosen by the student herself and discussed in the literature review.
- 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 assignmentWritten 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.
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). Appendix max. 5.000 keystrokes. - 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
Assessment by supervisor and censor.
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 assignmentLength: 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.
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). Appendix max. 5.000 keystrokes. - 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
Assessment by supervisor and censor.
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 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.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- AANK13010U
- Credit
- See exam description
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn And Spring
- Schedule
- See time table
- Study board
- Department of Anthropology, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Anthropology
Course responsibles
- Matthew Alexander Halkes Carey
(13-716578786c697b32676576697d446572786c7673326f7932686f)
Seminars - Iben Karlsen
(19-6d666972327073796d7769326f657670776972446572786c7673326f7932686f)
Inspirational workshops, Autumn 2014 - Mette My Madsen
(15-706877776831707c31706467766871436471776b7572316e7831676e)
Inspirational workshops, Spring 2015
Lecturers
Autumn 2014; Birgitte Refslund Sørensen; Karen Fog Olwig,
Matthew Carey
Spring 2015: Luisa Steur, Matthew Carey