Syllabus: Field Methods 2021

ANTH 3643:"Field Methods"

In and Out Fieldwork 

Doing "Virtual" and "Hybrid" Ethnography

Spring 2021

T/TH 10:30 -12:30 on ZOOM (synchronous)


Professor Laurie Greene

Contact (cell) 609.214.6596

Email: Laurie.greene@stockton.edu 

(please do not email to this gmail account) When emailing, make sure that you put the course title in the subject line of your email).

ZOOM LINK for Class Meetings: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84585733300

Course Objectives: 

  • Provide an overview of anthropological field methods - participant observation and other auxiliary methodology associate with fieldwork.
  • Provide experiential exercises in participant observation and fieldwork
  • Adapt participant observation to "virtual cultures" and generally to technology mediated methodology 
  • Achieve specific anthropological knowledge in one virtual or hybrid field site
  • Achieve a level of mastery in ethnographic data collection, transcription,  analysis and writing.
Specific Skills/Competencies:
  • Understanding the difference between anthropological ethnographic writing and analysis and other styles of ethnography (skill)
  • Understand the unique anthropological perspective (habit of mind)
  • Mastery of ethnographic writing style (skill)
  • Use critical thinking as a way to do anthropological analysis (Habit of mind)
  • Understanding of the concept of "culture" as the basic unit of analysis (skill)
  • Ability to read ethnographic materials (skill)
One of the hallmarks of anthropological methodology is that it is an "embodied" research method. That means that the anthropologist, rather than studying a culture from afar, travels to that culture, meeting their informants where they live and interact to try to observe them in a non-experimental (natural) setting. Unlike laboratory science, which creates experiments to discover theories, the science of anthropology aims "to have experiences to discover meaning". The principal method of research within this "fieldwork", we call "participant observation" and coupled with "ethnographic interviewing",  it is the basis of data collection. 

The pandemic has created a great challenge this semester since embedded ethnography is almost impossible. So, we are going to get creative, and at the same time look into some of the specific methodology on the new fields of :"virtual" and "hybrid" ethnographic methods. :)

Required Texts:
(1) Boellstorff, Tom, Bonnie Nardi, Celia Pierce, and T.L. Taylor. Ethnography and Virtual Worlds: a handbook of method. (Princeton)
(2) Readings Linked HERE

Assignments and Reading List:

Week #1: History of Ethnographic Methods (1/26-1/28)
Topic: What is ethnography and what is the history of ethnographic methodology?
    Readings: Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp.13-28 (1/28)




Week #2: Ethnography, 'Hybrid" Ethnography and Virtual Ethnography
Topic: What can we study ethnographically in Technoculture?
           How has the Pandemic changed the way that we do Ethnography?
                    The Impossibility of Ethnographic Research During the Corona Virus HERE   (2/2)
                    Where Were You During Covid-19? An Ethnographic Lens on Local Life in a Global                                         Pandemic HERE. (2/2)




Ethnographic Assignment #1: Auto-ethnography DUE 2/9
Over the course of 24 hours, keep a log of your own use of relevant internet forums and social media (record all the time that you spend online in various social interactions)keep track of the following things in a chart that you construct:
  1. time online-time off (ex: 12:13pm-3:20pm)
  2. device 
  3. activity
  4. sites
  5. active/passive interaction
  6. purpose
What does your use of the internet reveal about the way the internet is used in American culture? How might you use this knowledge to potentially study an aspect of American culture? Can you see a way one or more of these activities might be useful in ethnographic research? (Chart plus 3 paragraphs)

Week #3: Myths About Ethnography (2/9-2/11)
Topics: Why Ethnography Matters
            Discussion: Assignment #1 Thinking about ethnography and the internet
            Qualitative versus Quantitative Research
            Ethnography versus Ethnomethodology
Readings: Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp.29-51 (2/9)


Ethnographic Assignment #2: Memes of Bernie (DUE 2/16)
After the inauguration, a Bernie meme "broke the internet". 
  1. For this assignment, Go on social media and find and describe as many Bernie memes as you can (you are welcome to take screen shots of these memes, protecting the anonymity of the poster.
  2. Why do these memes make sense?
  3. Why are memes a good example of meaning creating behavior in culture,?
  4. What do these memes say about American culture?
  5. What do you have to know to understand these memes?
(3- 5 paragraphs answering the questions above)

Week #4: Research Design (2/16-2/18)
Topic: Starting Your Research
    Readings: Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp.52-62 (2/16)

Ethnographic Assignment #3: Photo Assignment (DUE 2/23)

See blog post for photo assignment 1/29

Week #5: Participant Observation in Virtual/Real Worlds (2/23-2/25)
Topic: Adapting field methods to online sources, and virtual cultures and communities.
           Practical Aspects of Participant Observation
           Discussion of Ethnographic Assignment #2
    Readings: Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp. 65-80 (2/23)
    Readings: Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp. 82-91-80 (2/25)




Ethnographic Assignment #4: Participant Observation On and Off (DUE 3/2)
Choose a scene you can observe for 1 hour both in person and mediated by technology (online). Make sure that you are keeping safe distance if necessary. Describe as many details as you can for each 1 hour observation. Describe the difference between the information that you can observe, in person, and online. Make sure that you indicate what the mediated environment was and on what device. (5 paragraphs)

Week #6: Participant Observation Describing a Scene (3/2-3/4)
Topic: Discussion of Participant observation on/off in working groups...class edits

Ethnographic Assignment #5: Participant Observation On and Off-in class Rewrites (DUE 3/5 day after class)
With the help of your breakout room partners, discuss and assist each other in evaluating and re-writing your fieldnotes. Make sure that you follow the guidelines for:
  1. ensuring anonymity
  2. leaving yourself out/amplifying informants voices
  3. being objective/replace judgements with descriptions
  4. being evocative in your writing
(5 paragraphs)




Week #7: Interviews in Virtual/Real Worlds (3/9-3/11)
Topic: Applying techniques to virtual fieldwork.
    Readings: Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp.92-110 (3/9)
                     Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp.113-126 (3/11)

Ethnographic Assignment #6: The Ethnographic Interview: on ZOOM/Facebook Messenger/Skype/FaceTime (DUE 3/25- Thursday)
Conduct an in-depth ethnographic interview on a technological interface where you can both see and hear your informant. Choose a topic based on your research interests. Interviews should be between 45 minutes and and one hour long. After getting verbal permission, record the interview so that you can go back later to observe and transcribe it. What are the advantages of technology in interviewing and what are the limitations that you have discovered? How might you improve the interview process? (3 paragraphs plus transcription)




Week # 8: Other Data Collection in Virtual/Real Worlds (3/16-3/18)

Week #9: Working with Language (3/23-3/25)

Ethnographic Assignment #7: Language and the Cultural Scene (DUE 4/8)
One way to see the important connection between language and culture is to focus on aspects of language which you record during your fieldwork. Go over your fieldnotes collected thus far and look for characteristics of language which serve to distinguish a group or subculture from another. Things you should look for:
  1. Unusual terms or unusual use of terms
  2. Ways of communicating (not just speaking)
  3. Nonverbal and verbal communication (this can include textual data)
Summarize your discoveries as informed by our class discussion of language and culture in ethnography. (5 paragraphs)


Preceptorial Advising, Tuesday March 30 NO CLASSES

Week #10: Ethics and Human Subjects (4/1)
Topic: ethical treatment of human subjects and assuring anonymity
    Readings: Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp.129-156 (4/1)
                     Ethnography in RealWorlds (2/25)

Week #11: Data Organization (4/6-4/8 )
Topic: Collecting, transcribing, organizing 
    Readings: Ethnography and Virtual/Real Worlds pp.159-176 (4/6)

Week #12: Data Analysis (4/13-4/15)
Topic: Other types of data analysis traditional 
           Other types of data analysis mediated through technology

Ethnographic Assignment #8: Organizing Data and Creating Themes (DUE 4/20)
After examining your interview and participant observation data, identify three themes that you might possibly explore as a research topic (think of this as if you were to write a senior thesis). Support your choices with evidence from your research. (5 paragraphs)

Week #13-14: Writing Up, Presenting and Publishing Ethnographic Research (4/20, 4/22, 4/27)
Topic: Writing ethnography and publishing options.
           Group critique and writing in breakout sessions in class
           Preparation for final Reflections, Assignment #9
    Readings: Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp.182-193 (4/20)
                     Ethnography and Virtual Worlds pp.196-200 (4/22)

Ethnographic Assignment #9: Reflection on Ethnographic Process (DUE 4/29)
Look over the reading and "fieldwork" skill building we have accomplished over the semester (in lieu of actual fieldwork). What are your reflections on the enterprise of ethnographic research? Consider the challenges posed by and the benefits of qualitative data collection. Make sure that you consider the unique perspective of anthropology (as opposed to other qualitative research designs like ethnomethodology) and the challenges which arose because of the pandemic to inform your discussion.

Spring Term Classes End , Friday, April 29th FINAL ETHNOGRAPHIC REFLECTION

Grading and Assessment:
  1. 9 assignments = 80% of your grade (each assignment is weighted equally)
  2. Class attendance = 10% of your grade (everyone begins the semester with an "A" -- deductions will be made after 2 unexcused absences)*
  3. Class participation =10% of your grade (based on your interaction in every class, deductions will be made if you fail to turn on your video, fail to participate at least once a class meeting)*
* This is a senior level class and I am serious about expecting full participation. You will not get anything higher than a B- in this class if you fail to attend class and participate in discussions.

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