Students
ANTH3024 – Doing Ethnography
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Anna-Karina Hermkens
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including (30cp from ANTH units including (10cp from ANTH units at 3000 level))
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
What tools do cultural anthropologists use to observe humans and make sense of their actions in the world? This unit introduces the practical, methodological, and ethical dimensions of ethnographic research. As the primary goal of the unit is to teach students how to conduct ethnographic fieldwork, over the semester students engage in first-hand research projects where they regularly participate in and observe a cultural scene of their own choosing. Weekly meetings frame the fieldwork process as students learn anthropological research methods under the guidance of an experienced staff member, and then apply this knowledge to their ethnographic study. These meetings provide students an opportunity to share their fieldwork experiences with each other, discuss the methodological issues, and workshop concerns raised by their own studies. Simultaneously students will read several classic ethnographies to develop an understanding of the relationship between ethnographic research and ethnographic writing.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Understand and apply a variety of ethnographic research methods.
- ULO2: Conduct ethnographic research.
- ULO3: Apply a variety of qualitative research methods, including interviewing, semantic domain analysis, unobtrusive observation, preparing literature review, and time allocation surveys.
- ULO4: Present research to peers and instructors in written and oral format.
- ULO5: Prepare a sample research proposal for a feasible participant-observation ethnographic study.
- ULO6: Acquire the knowledge and confidence to competently discuss and apply field research techniques relevant for employment as a field researcher.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar participation | 20% | No | Every week |
| Ethics quiz | 0% | No | 2 August |
| Research proposal | 20% | No | 30 August |
| Research journal | 15% | No | 11 October |
| Oral presentation of research | 10% | No | 25 October and 1 November |
| Ethnographic research paper | 35% | No | 8 November |
Seminar participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 26 hours
Due: Every week
Weighting: 20%
Seminar participation, including discussion preparation guide
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand and apply a variety of ethnographic research methods.
- Acquire the knowledge and confidence to competently discuss and apply field research techniques relevant for employment as a field researcher.
Ethics quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4 hours
Due: 2 August
Weighting: 0%
Students will take the online ethics module for social science research and the online quiz at the end of the module.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand and apply a variety of ethnographic research methods.
Research proposal
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: 30 August
Weighting: 20%
Research proposals will be original project designs for ethnographic research projects. Your research proposal should be a formal description of the ongoing project of ethnographic description that you are engaged in for this class. Your grade on this assignment will be based on a combination of the research proposal you submit and the feedback you give to your peers.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand and apply a variety of ethnographic research methods.
- Present research to peers and instructors in written and oral format.
- Prepare a sample research proposal for a feasible participant-observation ethnographic study.
Research journal
Assessment Type 1: Field book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 11 October
Weighting: 15%
From the third week of class students will be asked to keep a research journal. This should be a participant-observation record of their research activity.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand and apply a variety of ethnographic research methods.
- Conduct ethnographic research.
- Apply a variety of qualitative research methods, including interviewing, semantic domain analysis, unobtrusive observation, preparing literature review, and time allocation surveys.
Oral presentation of research
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 25 October and 1 November
Weighting: 10%
Students will present their research projects in the class in Weeks 12/13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Present research to peers and instructors in written and oral format.
- Acquire the knowledge and confidence to competently discuss and apply field research techniques relevant for employment as a field researcher.
Ethnographic research paper
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 8 November
Weighting: 35%
Students will write an ethnographic research paper of approximately 2,500 words based on the data that they have collected in their ethnographic research journal.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Conduct ethnographic research.
- Present research to peers and instructors in written and oral format.
- Acquire the knowledge and confidence to competently discuss and apply field research techniques relevant for employment as a field researcher.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
ANTH3024 is run in a two-hour seminar format. [No tutorials] Seminars start in Week 1.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook