Module ANTH30B1: Anthropology Field Course

Department: Anthropology

ANTH30B1: Anthropology Field Course

Prerequisites

• Doing Anthropological Research (ANTH1101). And, from 2022/23, Anthropological Research Methods in Action (ANTH2***)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To give students practical experience of conducting anthropological fieldwork, including the collection, management and interpretation of qualitative and/or quantitative data.
• To enable students to gain a deep understanding of a particular field context, and use that to apply anthropological methods and theories learned throughout their degree programme.

Content

• Learning about the field context (history, current situation/issues, previous anthropological research).
• Identifying a suitable area of research and developing a programme of anthropological fieldwork to be undertaken as part of a group.
• Residential fieldwork, drawing on methods and theories in one or more sub-field of anthropology (social, evolutionary, health).
• Management and analysis of field data.
• Reflection on ethical issues in anthropological fieldwork.

Learning Outcomes

• An appreciation of the appropriateness of different fieldwork research methods to specific lines of anthropological enquiry.
• A deep understanding of a particular field context.
• Understanding of the relationships between anthropological method and theory.
• Appreciation of ethical issues inherent in anthropological enquiry.

• A comprehensive overview and thorough grounding in the use a range of of anthropological field methods.
• A thorough understanding of the ways in which anthropologists collect and interpret field data.

• Understanding the process of fieldwork and how to draw on an appropriate range of methods.
• Working with others in collaborative activities.
• Maintaining and presenting a detailed record of research through verbal presentations and writing.
• Apply ethical guidelines in research.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The primary method of teaching is through practical experience of fieldwork.
• Fieldwork will be preceded by two workshops interspersed with directed reading, to enable students to build up a good level of background knowledge about the field site and plan their research activities.
• Fieldwork will be supplemented by on-site presentations and discussions to explore key lessons and concepts related to the intended learning outcomes.
• The assessment is designed to assess the extent of students' understanding and execution of fieldwork skills, and their ability to apply appropriate theory and methods to address a relevant anthropological question in a fieldwork setting. Formative assessment is through oral presentations during fieldwork; summative assessment entails written coursework based on fieldwork conducted.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Group Presentations during fieldwork plus additional formative feedback provided on aspects of work undertaken during each day of the field course and during post-fieldwork workshops.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University