SEMS 148 Field Research Methods - Semester at Sea Website
Subject: Anthropology
Professor Gloria Rudolf - (Syllabus)
Common sense, said Stuart Chase, is that sense which tells us that the world is flat; although true for some purposes, it is fundamentally false. This course explores the theory and practice of field research, which is an investigative approach that seeks to surmount the limitations of common sense. A cornerstone of the discipline of anthropology, field research involves applying systematic techniques of observation, participation, listening, and conversing to describe or explain aspects of social life. As such, it is a useful method not just for anthropologists, but for students of many disciplines. We will explore some of the excitement and strengths of this method, as well as some of its complexities and problems. Through class discussions and field projects, students will learn about the major steps involved in conceptualizing and carrying out field research. For each step, we'll consider potential ethical and political dilemmas as well as possible complexities related to the nationality, gender, class, race, or age of researcher and research subjects. The emphasis will be on learning by doing-both on the ship and in ports. Methods of evaluation include preparation, attendance, and participation in class discussions and field projects (30%); Class presentation of one field project with team (15%); Team presentation of survey project (15%); Portfolio of practice field projects (25%); written team paper on survey project (15%).