ANTH 5040.001
ETHNOGRAPHIC AND QUALITATIVE METHODS
Fall 2006 Tuesday 6:00 - 8:50
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE HOURS:
Dr. Lisa Henry
Tuesday 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Chilton 330H, or by appointment 565-4160
email: LHenry@unt.edu website: courses.unt.edu/lhenry
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will teach students anthropological fieldwork methods, building on any prior experience they may
have. Students will learn through readings and discussion, and by conducting a semester-long fieldwork
project. They will become familiar with both traditional long-term fieldwork approaches and rapid assessment
techniques used in applied anthropology. Topics covered include: the relationship of research to theory;
designing a project; ethics; data collection; analysis of data; and presentation of findings. The class will focus
on the following fieldwork approaches: observation, interviewing, and focus groups. With regard to data
analysis, students will learn about software, and engage in collaborative teamwork.
NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCE DUE TO RELIGIOUS HOLY DAY(S):
Students desiring to observe a religious holy day, which will result in a class absence, must notify the
instructor in writing, for each class, no later than September 12th. The student is required to complete any
assignments or take any examinations, within a reasonable time, which may have been missed as a result of
the absence.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
LeCompte, Margaret D. and Jean J. Schensul.
1999
Designing and conducting ethnographic research. Ethnographer’s Toolkit,
Volume 1. Walnut Creek: Altamira Press. (Referred to in Course Schedule as TK V1)
Schensul, Stephen L, Jean J. Schensul and Margaret D. LeCompte.
1999
Essential ethnographic methods. Ethnographer’s Toolkit, Volume 2. Walnut
Creek: Altamira Press. (Referred to in Course Schedule as TK V2)
LeCompte, Margaret D. and Jean J. Schensul.
1999
Analyzing and interpreting ethnographic data. Ethnographer’s Toolkit, Volume
5. Walnut Creek: Altamira Press. (Referred to in Course Schedule as TK V5)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attendance and participation in classroom discussions (15%). Since this course is a graduate seminar,
participation is essential. Class participation makes up 15% of your final grade. Obviously, if you are absent
you cannot contribute to discussions, so a high level of attendance is required for a good grade. If you have
more than one unexcused absence, your grade will go down. Students are responsible for all materials and
announcements presented in class, whether or not they were there.
2. Abstract assignment (25% each). For an abstract assignment you will be required to write an abstract on
an outside article and present it to the rest of the class to foster class discussion. A model for abstracts will
be handed out during the first class.
3. Fieldwork project (60%). Students will conduct a collaborative project over the course of the semester.
You will turn in six items documenting your fieldwork. These are the items and how much their grades are
worth:
Item
Observation fieldnotes
Interview transcript
Interview fieldnotes & reflections
Focus group transcript
Focus group fieldnotes & reflections
Analysis write up
Client Presentation
% of Grade
10%
10%
5%
10%
5%
10%
10%
Withdrawal: If you are unable to complete this course you must withdraw by Oct. 6 (for a “W” with
instructor approval), by Oct. 31 (for a “W” or “WF,” as determined by the instructor, with instructor
approval). Withdrawing from a course is a formal procedure which YOU must initiate. I cannot do it for
you. If you simply stop attending and do not withdraw, you will receive a performance grade, usually an
“F.”
STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING. The department of anthropology considers
graduate students to be new members of the community of professional anthropologists, who are thus held to
the high ethical standards of practicing professionals. They are expected to follow the American
Anthropological Association’s code of ethics: “Anthropological researchers bear responsibility for
the integrity and reputation of their discipline, of scholarship, and of science. Thus, anthropological
researchers are subject to the general moral rules of scientific and scholarly conduct: they should
not deceive or knowingly misrepresent (i.e., fabricate evidence, falsify, plagiarize), or attempt to
prevent reporting of misconduct, or obstruct the scientific/scholarly research of others”
(http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm). Any work not meeting this standard will be
evaluated in a hearing before the student; infractions will merit dismissal from the master’s program.
For more information on paper writing, including how to avoid plagiarism, and how to use citations,
see http://www.unt.edu/anthropology/writing.htm. For information on the University’s policies
regarding academic integrity and dishonesty, see the UNT Center for Student Rights and
Responsibilities, http://www.unt.edu/csrr/.
Note: The Anthropology Department does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s disability as
required by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Our program provides academic adjustments or help to
individuals with disabilities in its programs and activities. Attempts will be made to meet all certified
requirements.
COURSE SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
Date
Topics and Assignments
Core readings: (to
be read before
class)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Aug. 29
Introduction to course
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sept. 5
Social Science, Anthropology and Ethnography
TK V1 Ch. 1-2
TK V2 Ch. 1
Assignment due: 1. abstract
handout - diabetes
2. read and be prepared to discuss at least one
article on type II diabetes
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sept. 12
Theory and epistemology
TK V1 Ch. 3
TK V2 Ch. 2
Assignment due: 1. abstract
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sept. 19
Ethics and Research
TK V1 Ch. 8-9
IRB Presentation
Guest Speakers - Boyd Herndon – Director of Research Compliance
Scott Simpkins, Professor of English and IRB Chair
Assignment due: 1. abstract
2. read over the AAA code of ethics
http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sept. 26
Research Design Part 1
TK V1 Ch. 4-5
TK V2 Ch. 3, 10
Assignment due: 1. abstract
2. NIH Human Subjects Training certificate
http://cme.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learning/humanparticipant-protections.asp
print a copy of the NIH certificate for me – turn in on the 26th
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Oct. 3
Research Design Part II
TK V2 Ch. 4, 11
TK V1 Ch. 6
Class activity: design research plan
______________________________________________________________________________________
Oct. 10
Observation and Fieldnotes
TK V2 Ch. 5
Assignment due: 1. abstract
Class activity: finish research plan, if necessary
handout – observation
handout – fieldnotes
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Oct. 17
Informants and Interviewing
TK V2 Ch. 6-7
Assignment due:
1. observation fieldnotes due
2. abstract
Class activity: design interview
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Oct. 24
Focus Groups
handout - guide
Assignment due: 1. 1st interview transcript and fieldnotes
Class activity: design focus group questions and practice focus groups
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Oct. 31
Analysis of Qualitative Data Part I
TK V1 Ch. 7
TK V5 Ch. 1-6
Assignment due: 1. 2nd interview transcript and fieldnotes
Class activity: learn qualitative analysis program
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Nov. 7
Analysis of Qualitative Data part II
TK V5 7-8, 10-11
Assignment due:
1. focus group transcript and fieldnotes
Class activity: data analysis
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Nov. 14
Analysis of Qualitative Data part III
Class activity: data analysis
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Nov. 21
Analysis of Qualitative Data part IV
Class activity: data analysis
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Nov. 28
Analysis of Qualitative Data part V
Assignment due: 1. draft of analysis
Class activity: data analysis
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dec. 5
Wrap Up – work on presentation
Assignment due: 1. draft of analysis
Class activity: data analysis
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dec. 12
Client Presentation
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Note: The instructor reserves the right to add, delete, or revise segments of this course or syllabus