ETHNOGRAPHIC FIELD METHODS
ANTH 438/638
Monday & Wednesday, 4 – 5:15pm
Room AB 209
Spring 2015
Instructor: Professor Louis Forline
Office: AB 511
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1-2pm; Wednesdays, 10-11am
Phone: 682-7840
E-mail: forline@unr.edu
Course Description: This course aims to familiarize students with the methodology of
ethnographic fieldwork. It entails understanding the epistemological foundations of social science
research and the techniques employed by anthropologists engaged in the field. Participant
observation, long considered the heirloom of anthropology, has been the mainstay of the discipline
yet this approach has also gained headway in other disciplines such as sociology and psychology.
While participant observation is a must for this course, literature searches and secondary data
gathering methods will also be emphasized. Students should learn to embrace an interdisciplinary
perspective but should also gain an understanding of research methodology through an
anthropological lens. As such, we will give primary focus to the qualitative aspects of research
but also embrace quantitative methods that help elicit and interpret data.
Course Requirements: Students will be required to attend class, keep up with readings,
participate in discussions and exercises, perform assignments, and make class presentations. A
journal will be kept by students to reflect on class activities and assignments, reflections on their
work, and life in general. It can be read like a diary but will be centered more on aspects of this
course. Students are also required to select a community or study group to research and prepare a
proposal for studying them.
Course Prerequisite: Comparative Social Organization (ANTH 402)
Core Objectives:
CO 14 - Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills developed in previous
Core and major classes by completing a project or structured experience of practical
significance.
In this course, students will learn how to engage with their research communities and assemble
cogent research proposals by learning and applying the methods and techniques of ethnographic
fieldwork. As such, you will incorporate knowledge gained from previous anthropology courses
such as community engagement, establishing rapport, eliciting responses of cognitive domains,
in addition to applying and expanding on writing skills to convey this knowledge in a clear
assemblage that embraces theory, facts, and argumentation. Thus, students will assimilate the
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different venues in which anthropologists convey their findings, such as research reports and
public presentations as well as constructing coherent proposals to underwrite support.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of course, students will





Be able to embrace the scientific method of investigation contextualized within the
framework of anthropological research
Be able to develop a research design intended for ethnographic fieldwork
Be able to gather, analyze, and interpret data from ethnographic fieldwork
Be able to report research findings of ethnographic fieldwork
Be able to write coherent and feasible research proposals to engage in ethnographic
fieldwork, fulfilling both course requirements and future endeavors in research.
Required Books:
De Munck, Victor
2009 Research Designs and Methods for Studying Cultures. Altamira Press.
Eriksen, Thomas
2006 Engaging Anthropology, Berg.
Ward, Martha
2005 Nest in the Wind: Adventures in Anthropology on a Tropical Island. 2nd Edition,
Waveland Press.
Summary of tasks: good class attendance, readings and discussions, exercises (TBA), class
journal, and proposal. We will periodically discuss assignments in class and do group exercises
and a brief presentation of your research proposal will be made.
Summary of class activities: lectures, discussions, films, guest lectures, exercises, and
presentations.
Criteria for evaluation:
Class participation
Journal
Exercises
Research Proposal
20%
20%
30%
30%
Graduate Students: You research proposal will be geared towards a definite objective, aimed
towards the research you would like to do for your graduate studies. This will be a proposal that
can be submitted to any major funding agency, modelled within the framework of their
parameters.
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Grade Scale: The grading scale for the course will be as follows:
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
Point Range
93-100
90-92
88-89
83-87
80-82
78-79
Letter Grade
C
CD+
D
DF
Point Range
73-77
70-72
68-69
63-67
60-62
59 and below
Important Dates:
Feb. 16 – President’s Day, no classes
March 14-22 – Spring Break, no classes
May 6 – Prep Day, no classes
May 11 – Scheduled Final (2:45 – 4:45pm)
May 13 – Fall Term ends
A Word To The Wise: Attendance in this class is required for you to do well and attendance
sheets will be filled out in each class. Keep up with the reading assignments and if you must miss
class, please notify me ahead of time. Written excuses are required for absences and make up
exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. Makeup assignments will be scheduled at
the end of the semester.
Student athletes and others involved in university sanctioned activities must see me during the first
week of class to discuss and resolve conflicts of schedule. Written verification is required. See
university policy on student absences and religious holy days below.
Office Hours, Phone Calls and E-mail: I will be in my office during the office hours indicated
above, unless otherwise indicated. You do not need to make an appointment during these hours
and are welcome to come in about anything. If you need to see me but cannot do so during these
times, we can try to arrange an appointment for another time. If you wish to telephone, you can
call me during regular office hours as I am in usually every weekday. In general, e-mail is
preferred over phone calls (I usually check my e-mails several times a day) but I would prefer to
handle anything that requires discussion in person. However, I will answer your e-mails as soon
as possible for quick consultations. I usually respond quickly to e-mails and prefer to receive
them during regular working hours (9am – 5pm, M – F). Please do not leave phone messages
requesting me to phone you (I usually get a machine when this happens) unless it is very urgent
and alternatives such as coming in to office hours and e-mail will not work. Questions of a more
private and confidential nature will be handled through messages on Webcampus as per FERPA
regulations.
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Academic Dishonesty includes cheating on exams, plagiarism on papers, and signing the role
sheet for another student. None of these will be tolerated and any can result in a failing grade for
the course and the implementation of other university disciplinary procedures.
Special Needs or Disabilities or Other Problems: The department of anthropology is committed
to equal opportunities in education for all students, including those with physical or learning
disabilities. If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodations, please
contact me or the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Building, Suite 100, tel. 748-6000) as
soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations. In addition, students who anticipate
other problems involving work or family that might affect attendance or completion of any of the
other requirements of the course are strongly encouraged to discuss them with me at the beginning
of the semester.
Academic Success Services: Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center (784-4433 or
www.unr.edu/mathcenter/), Tutoring Center (784-6801 or www.unr.edu/tutoring/), and University
Writing Center (784-6030 or http://www.unr.edu/writing_center/). These centers support your
classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that
seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student.
Statement on Audio and Video Recording: Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or
unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This
class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In
order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record
class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during
class may be recorded. I also ask that you turn off all cell phones and electronic devices before
coming to class. You can use your laptop and iPads as long as they are for taking notes or making
a quick consultation on an issue we are discussing in class.
Student Absences: By NSHE policy in Title 4 Chapter 20 A, Section 3, paragraph 1,
http://system.nevada.edu/tasks/sites/Nshe/assets/File/BoardOfRegents/Handbook/T4-CH20%20%20General%20Policies%20Regulating%20Students%20and%20Student%20Government.pdf,
there are no official absences from any university class. It is the personal responsibility of the
student to consult with the instructor regarding absence from class. In the event that a student
misses a class because of an official university function or event or because of serious personal
issues, the Office of the Vice President for Student Services may, at its discretion, send an
explanation to affected faculty. The instructor shall make the final determination on whether the
missed work can be done at a time other than during the regularly scheduled class period.
Religious Holy Days: It is the policy of NSHE (Title 4 Chapter 20 A, Section 3,
paragraph2,http://system.nevada.edu/tasks/sites/Nshe/assets/File/BoardOfRegents/Handbook/T4CH20%20%20General%20Policies%20Regulating%20Students%20and%20Student%20Government.pdf
to be sensitive to the religious obligations of its students. Any student missing classes, quizzes,
examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holy days should,
whenever possible, be given an opportunity during that semester to make up the missed work. The
make-up will apply to the religious holy day absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the
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student to notify the instructor in advance in writing, if the student intends to participate in a
religious holy day which does not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall
not apply in the event that administering the assignment at an alternate time would impose an
undue hardship on the instructor or the institution which could not reasonably have been avoided.
What Is Expected of You: In order to do well in this course, you will be responsible for all
assigned readings, for all films shown in class, and for all lecture materials and class discussion.
Please familiarize yourself with the assigned reading before coming to class. If you are absent it
is up to you to find out what you have missed. I post summarized class notes a week after
lectures but do not loan out lecture notes or give private lectures on missed material. If you do
not understand things that have been said in class or that you have read in the texts, you are
welcome and encouraged to ask questions in class or to seek me out during office hours or by email.
I also ask that you turn off all cell phones and electronic devices before coming to class. You
can use your laptop and iPads as long as they are for taking notes or making a quick consultation
on an issue we are discussing in class.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of course, students will




Be able to embrace the scientific method of investigation contextualized within the
framework of anthropological research
Be able to develop a research design intended for ethnographic fieldwork
Be able to gather, analyze, and interpret data from ethnographic fieldwork
Be able to report research findings of ethnographic fieldwork
COURSE OUTLINE AND REQUIRED READINGS:
Readings listed here are required and will be covered in lectures and class discussions. Please
complete your reading before each week of class begins.
Week 1 – Jan. 21
Introduction to the course
Anthropology & research
See film Changing Knowledge, Changing Reality
Week 2 – Jan. 26 & 28
Foundations of Social Science Research
Read: De Munck’s Preface & Chapter 1
Bernard Handout
Week 3 – Feb. 2 & 4
Getting started
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Read: De Munck, Chapter 2
Bernard Handout
Week 4 – Feb. 9 & 11
Research Design
Read: De Munck (contd.)
Bernard Handout
Messerschmidt’s article (e-reserve)
Week 5 – Feb. 16 & 18
Literature Search
Library orientation – Ann Medaille
Obs. Feb. 16 – President’s Day (no class)
Read: Bernard Handout
Week 6 – Feb. 23 & 25
Sampling & Choosing informants
Read: Bernard Handout
Cheyney’s critique of Boster & Magnarella’s article (WebCampus)
Week 7 – March 2 & 4
Interviewing – unstructured, semistructured and structured
Read: De Munck Chapters 3, 4 & 5
Bernard Handout
Week 8 – March 9 & 11
Participant Observation & Ethics
Read: De Munck Chapter 9
Gearing’s article (e-reserve)
Guest lecture: Nancy Moody
Week 9 – March 14 – 22
Spring Break – no classes
Week 10 – March 23 & 25
View Film Navajo talking picture
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Continue readings & discussion
Begin reading Ward & Eriksen books
Week 11 – March 30 & April 1
Field notes & diaries
Read: Bernard handout
Kitzinger on Focus groups (WebCampus)
Guest lecturer: Erika Waday
Week 12 – April 6 & 8
Direct & Indirect Observation/Time Allocation
Read: Bernard’s Research Methods, Chap. 15
Gross’ Time Allocation (WebCampus)
Week 13 – April 13 & 15
Qualitative and Quantitative analysis, long interviews
Read: De Munck Chapters 7 & 8
Read Bohannan article
Week 14 – April 20 & 22
Models, Matrices, Taxonomies, and consensus analysis
Read: De Munck Chapter 6
Byrne & Forline’s article (e-reserve)
Week 15 – April 27 & 29
Proposal writing
Read: Writing good proposals (WebCampus)
View documentary on NIH Grant Review Process
Week 16 – May 4
Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate Analysis
Reporting Ethnographic Fieldwork
Begin discussing Eriksen & Ward books
No classes on Prep Day, May 6
May 13 – Wednesday: FINAL DAY OF CLASSES FOR THIS COURSE (2:45 – 4:45pm)
This day will be reserved to wrap up presentations and hand in proposals.
Articles and books on reserve:
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E-reserve
Harris, Marvin
Aguilar, John
Messerschmidt, Donald
Gwaltney, John
Killick, Don
Gearing, Jean
Irvine, Leslie
Byrne & Forline
Blackwood, Evelyn
Paper Reserve
Metcalf, Peter
They lie, we lie
Malinowski, Branislow
Argonauts of the Western Pacific
Malinowski, Branislow
A diary in the strict sense of the term
Material on Webcampus
Bernard, H. Russ et al on Informant accuracy
Cheney on Key Informants (critique of Boster)
Gross, Daniel on Time Allocation
Magnarella on Key Informants
Proposals
Rutter & Smith on Virtual Ethnographies
Ryan & Bernard on Data Management
Handouts
Several Bernard handouts
Omuhundro’s kinship exercise
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