AN449
Ethnography in relation to other Research Methods
This information is for the 2008/09 session.
Teachers responsible
Dr Rita Astuti (A614) and Professor Charles Stafford (A601) Availability
Compulsory for MSc Social Anthropology (Research) and MPhil/PhD in Anthropology. Also available to research students from other departments with approval of instructors.
Course content
This course considers research practices across a range of social and natural sciences in order to explore methodological issues which are specifically relevant to ethnography. In particular, it focuses on the relationship between evidence and the kinds of inferences and conclusions which are drawn by researchers in different fields.
In each section of the course, case-studies taken from different disciplines will be considered in relation to the research practices of ethnographers. The disciplines covered may include: cognitive science & developmental psychology; philosophy; medical science and epidemiology; history; sociology; economics.
Teaching
10 two-hour seminars in LT.
Formative coursework
Based on seminar participation and presentation for which an indicative mark will be given.
Indicative reading list
R. Astuti et al, Constraints on conceptual development; J. Henrich et al, Foundations of human sociality; R. Lucas, Lectures on economic growth; L. Ross & R. Nisbett, The Person and the Situation: Perspectives of social psychology; W. Lyons, Modern philosophy of mind; R. Rorty, Objectivity, relativism and truth; M. Carrithers, Why humans have cultures; A. Wolf, Sexual attraction and childhood association; G. Davey-Smith, Health inequalities: life-course approaches; A. Molho & G.S. Wood (eds), Imagined Histories: American historians interpret the past.
Assessment
1 two-hour examination (100%) in the summer term. ^
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