AN471     
Qualitative and Quantitative Methods for Anthropologists

This information is for the 2019/20 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Charles Stafford OLD 6.02 and Prof Deborah James OLD 6.06

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MRes/PhD in Anthropology. This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

The twofold aim of this course is to provide students with insights into the process by which anthropological knowledge is produced, and to train them in the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. In doing so it offers students a methodological framework for conceptualising and designing their own PhD research projects. The course discusses the nature of ethnographic data and evidence, its implications for research, and ways of incorporating empirical data in ethnographic texts. 

Teaching

40 hours of seminars in the MT.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of MT.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 piece of coursework in the MT.

Indicative reading

A. Robben and A. Sluka (eds.) 2007. Ethnographic Fieldwork: An anthropological reader; P. Atkinson.2015. For Ethnography; R. H. Bernard. Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.Fifth Edition. A. Cerwonka and L. Malkki. 2007. Improvising Theory: Process an Temporality in Ethnographic Fieldwork. K. Narayan. 2012. Alive in the Writing: Crafting Ethnography in the Company of Chekhov.

Assessment

Essay (30%, 3000 words), coursework (15%, 1000 words), coursework (15%, 1000 words), presentation (15%) and class participation (25%) in the MT.

Key facts

Department: Anthropology

Total students 2018/19: 6

Average class size 2018/19: 6

Controlled access 2018/19: No

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills