ANTH4150 – Ethnography, in practice
Course content
Ethnographic research is a qualitative method that is increasingly sought after as a skill in a variety of workplaces. This course explores the use of anthropological theory and method in non-academic, applied contexts. We explore the careers and skills the anthropological practitioners can develop in a range of business, non-profit, and other work contexts.
Through this course you develop an understanding of the range of fields that anthropological perspectives can be applied to in day-to-day work as part of developing your own research project and as the basis for developing your potential future career in both academic and non-academic contexts.
Topics covered include
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User-research and product development
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Career development and skill enhancement for applied anthropologists
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Engaged work in voluntary organisations, non-profits and governmental agencies non-business organisations
Learning outcome
Knowledge
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Understand the relevance of classical and contemporary anthropological perspectives for contemporary applied organisational issues
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Articulate their relevance for contemporary academic and public policy debates
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Understand ongoing theoretical debates and the potential position of your own original research to the development of these debates
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Formulate your own potential career paths inside and outside of academia that can be built upon anthropological expertise
Skills
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Understand and explain the relationship between anthropological knowledge and practical societal challenges in different work-related contexts
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Identify what may be your own anthropological contribution to a selected field of practice
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Understand how applied anthropology converges and diverges from academic anthropology
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Become aware of how your own competence can be applied in practice
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General competence
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Deepen the capacity for independent academic thought and appreciate its relevance in non-academic contexts
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Enhance the ability to talk about one’s written and presentation skills
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Improve competence in essay writing/argument construction
Admission to the course
Students must be enrolled in the master’s programme in Social Anthropology.
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
You have to be enrolled in the master’s programme in Social Anthropology and must have taken?ANTH4115 – Advanced Anthropological Theory? and?ANTH4125 – Advanced Anthropological Methods and Project Development??.
Alternatively you must be enrolled in the master’s programme for Social Anthropology, and must have taken?ANTH4010-Advanced Anthropological Theory,?ANTH4020-Academic Writing and Project Development?and?ANTH4030-Advanced Anthropological Methods.
Teaching
3-hour teaching blocks with a combination of lectures and in-class group discussions moderated by the lecturer.
In addition to the syllabus in Leganto you are required to select and read an additional 200 pages of relevant literature of your own choosing. More information about the self-chosen readings will be given in class.
Compulsory activity:
Mandatory oral presentation which will reflect on what you have learned about applied anthropology during the course.
The compulsory activity will be assessed as Approved/Not approved. You must have the compulsory activity approved in order to take the exam.
In the event of illness or other valid reasons, you can apply for a valid absence or postponement of compulsory activity.?Apply for valid absence from or need for postponement of compulsory activity
Access to teaching:
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Reflection paper (2,500 words) which will reflect on what you have learned about applied anthropology during the course.
The compulsory activity must be approved and the exam passed in the same semester.
Previous exams and assessment guidelines.
Examination support material
All support material is allowed. When using AI, you must explain and be transparent about its use: read more about the guidelines for AI and exams at?How to use AI as a student - University of Oslo
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.
Also see?Grading guidelines in social anthropology
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.