AANA18107U Borderland: Critical Approaches to Field Research in the Global South (Summer 2019)

Volume 2018/2019
Education

Summer school course 2019.

 

 

Content

 

Jointly developed and offered by UC-Berkeley and University of Copenhagen.

 

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to think critically about the research process in the conduct of research. It is not a methods course or a summer internship. Rather, it combines classroom learning with field engagement and immersion in local environment that include short term placement with local NGOs or ongoing research projects in and around Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand.

 

Emphasizing the research process rather than the mastery of a specific topic or method, the aim is to provide students with the tools to raise and address critical questions in their own research and a foundation from which they can apply the knowledge and practices from the course to future projects. We envision that, by the end of the course, each student will have produced a polished draft of a research project proposal (5-7 pages) that could be used for future engagement with the Global South.

 

Themes that will be addressed in the course in the context of globalization processes and borderland issues include:

  • Borders and boundaries
  • Mobilities and immobilities
  • Environment and natural resource management
  • Human in/security and social justice

 

Short video from the course, Summer 2018:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUlQmYVXzuc

 

Student experiences from the course, Summer 2018:

https://development.ku.dk/newslist/usek-news/student-experiences-in-northern-thailand/

 

Learning Outcome
  • For students to have a deeper understanding and insights of the issues facing the Global South and the world in the 21st Century.
  • For students to be able to raise and address critical questions in their own research.
  • For students to engage with local NGOs and ongoing research projects, and integrate their knowledge/insights into their own research process.
  • For students to have a critical foundation from which they can apply the knowledge and practices from the course to future projects.
  • For students to be able to apply their knowledge and understanding to the development of a research proposal.
Literature

Course literature will be avaible via dropbox in the end of May.

This course is open for Postgraduate (Master level) students and advanced bachelor (undergraduate) students.
The course is open to students from all fields and disciplines. Priority is given to students with interests in global development and the Global South, which can be approached from many different disciplinary angles. It is an advantage if the students have taken a field and/or methods course prior to enrolling in this field course.

Proficient English skills (written and oral) are a must.
Lecture, seminar style discussion and reflection, and field research.

The course is divided into four phases:
1. Pre-departure preparation: reading, online research on topics and contexts.
2. Introduction week: Classroom lectures, seminars, group work, field trips and preparation for entering the field
3. Field research: Placement with NGOs and research projects.
4. Evaluation, reflection and writing: Group presentations for invited stakeholders, writing and finalizing research project proposals

The field course will be based in Chiang Mai (in partnership with Chiang Mai University) and in surrounding areas.

In addition, one group excursion is planned, and depending on the organizations or research projects to which they are assigned, students may have an opportunity to visit projects within and outside of Chiang Mai as part of their research.


The program schedule may be subject to change since this is a field course and we need to build in some flexibility in order to be able to accommodate local circumstances and exigencies if necessary.
Students will have to pay for the following:

• Flight ticket: to and from Chiang Mai
• Accommodation, including any deposits: 6,300 THB for a full month in double occupancy, not including breakfast (app. 1,300 DKK or 200 USD)
• Living expenses: app. 400 THB/day (app. 75 DKK /13 USD)
• Visa: please contact your home Embassy for visa fees for Thailand
• Insurance: valid for the entire course period in Thailand
• Local transport


Accommodation:

The students will be staying in twin rooms at UNISERV CMU:
http:/​/​uniserv-cmu.chiangmai-hotels4u.com/​en/​

The price per student is 6,300 THB (app. 1,300 DKK or 200 USD) for a full month in double occupancy including cleaning once a week and free wi-fi, but not including breakfast.

Students will be able to check in from June 21
Students must check out no later than July 21

Students must be ready for course start in Chiang Mai on June 24 at 9 am.


Required insurance and VISA:

All students accepted into the course must have a valid health and travel insurance covering travel in Thailand as well as a valid visa prior to departure.

For Visa please contact your home Embassy for visa requirements for Thailand.


For UCPH students: pre-approval is required from home department and must be forwarded no later than 15 March 2019.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • E-Learning
  • 72
  • Exam
  • 32
  • Field Work
  • 88
  • Preparation
  • 24
  • Total
  • 216
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, .
Course participation, .
Assessment will be based on a) active participation in the course including group work b) active engagement with the NGO and c) submission of a well-developed research project proposal.

The research proposal must be 5 to 7 pages (2400 key strokes pr. page)
Exam registration requirements

.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

Deadline for submission of the exam paper is Friday 26 July 2019.

Re-exam

To be announced

Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcomes.