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Description

How can anthropological methods reveal different dimensions of social and human experience? This module invites you to explore some of the major concepts and philosophies that underpin qualitative and quantitative methods used by anthropologists to gather evidence about the diversity of human worlds. We will examine how to apply these methods and research skills in practice and cultivate an understanding of anthropological research as an ethically engaged and critically reflexive practice. Ìý
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Learning on this module involves a mixture of lecture content, pre-seminar activities (such as reading), and participation in seminars via discussion and group activities. A major component of your learning requires working collaboratively with your peers to design and carry out a research project over two terms under the mentorship of the module tutors. As part of your project work, you will test how to carry out different methods, learn how different methodological approaches generate qualitative and quantitative evidence about human experiences, understand how anthropological evidence is recorded, and learn how different methodological approaches synthesize with one another.Ìý

*Learning Outcomes:

• Develop knowledge of different examples of qualitative and quantitative methods used by social scientists;

• Expose students to a selection of key methodological concepts, practices and modes of analysis used across the discipline of anthropology;

• Equip students with the ability to analyse and critically reflect on different modes of anthropological research and methodological practice;

• Develop research and writing skills appropriate to the completion of an undergraduate level dissertation;

• Develop transferable skills and especially key techniques in social science research that can be deployed across a range of employment contexts

Having completed the module students will:

• Have knowledge and understanding of some of the well-established principles of anthropological methods and research skills;

• Be able to demonstrate a critical awareness of some anthropological methods – both conceptually and in practice-, and be able to reflect on the use of different methods in light of current challenges in the field of anthropology;

• Be able to evaluate and carry out the appropriate forms of methodology as per anthropologically informed research questions, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of anthropological research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in a variety of contexts;

• Have understanding of ethics, positionality and reflexivity involved in anthropological research;

• Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the potential applications of anthropological knowledge across broader employment contexts.
  
  Have command of the following transferable skills:

• Research skills in collecting, collating and analysing primary and secondary data;

• Independent learning, working with initiative and minimal supervision;

• Independence of thought and analytical, critical and synoptic skills

• Communication and presentation skills (using oral, visual and written materials and information technology);

• Peer collaboration and the ability to engage, where appropriate, in constructive discussion in group situations and group-work skills

• Time, planning and management skills.

*Delivery Method:

The module is delivered across 4 'research blocks' which are taught by different lecturers in terms 1 and 2. The first 3 research blocks explore different aspects of the qualitative method of ethnography and the final block examines quantitative methodology.ÌýÌýÌý

The module is delivered via a 2 hour weekly seminar. Every week, you will receive on-going formative feedback on the development of your project. Your project work provides the material for your summative assessment.Ìý

*Additional Information:

• Students will receive weekly, on-going formative feedback on their peer group project.