This module is not currently running in 2021 to 2022.
This module builds on Ethnographies I, and its focus is to further investigate the canonical form in which research in social anthropology has been disseminated, the ethnography. The reading list for the module therefore consists exclusively of professional ethnographic monographs of varying thematic and regional focus.
Students will be expected to come to seminars with notes from their reading and will be encouraged to discuss that reading and to relate it to wider anthropological issues raised or implied by the authors of the ethnographies.
Considerable time will be spent, particularly in the earlier seminars, on instruction about how to read an ethnography and what goes into writing it. This might include how to examine its implicit (as opposed to explicit) theoretical assumptions; how to place it within the historical development of the discipline; how to evaluate its empirical investigation of particular theoretical problems; how to evaluate the relationship between description and analysis; how to evaluate its contribution to particular issues and topics within social anthropology; and the examination of its structure, presentation and ability to communicate an understanding of a social and cultural group through the written word.
18
BSc: Anthropology; BA: Social Anthropology; Joint Honours; with a Language; with a Year Abroad
40% Exam; 60% Coursework
Coursework
Seminar Contribution (15%)
Project (45%).
Cambell, J. K. (1964). Honour, Family and Patronage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Cannell, F. (1999). Power and Intimacy in the Christian Philippines. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Emerson, R. et al. (2011). Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes. Chicago: Chicago UP
Ghodsee, K. (2016) From Notes to Narrative: Writing Ethnographies that Everyone can Read. Chicago: Chicago University Press.
Theodossopoulos, D. (2016). Exoticisation Undressed: Ethnographic Nostalgia and Authenticity in Emberá Clothes. Manchester: Manchester University Press
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
8.1 Demonstrate critical understanding of the contents of a number of ethnographic texts
8.2 Identify the authors of specific ethnographic texts and indicate when and where the fieldwork described in the text was undertaken, as well as their conceptual and methodological background of problem-solving
8.3 Relate specific texts to general theoretical anthropological topics, for examples to the analysis of structural and political violence; social and economic inequalities; globalisation and consumption; and mobility, migration and identity
8.4 Demonstrate knowledge of the methods of research specific to the discipline of anthropology and illustrate them with reference to the studied local, regional, and global ethnographies
8.5 Critically relate their reading for this module to wider conceptual and ethical concerns in social anthropology, and the broader relationship between anthropological fieldwork and ethnographic writing
8.6 Relate the dilemmas faced by authors of the reading for this module to the challenges they themselves face as amateur ethnographers
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
