sketches are by Rini Templeton

Course Description

This is a course on the qualitative methods used to study social and cultural phenomena. Although its emphasis will be on ethnographic techniques, in keeping with the integrative spirit of Anthropology and the close links between cross-cultural methods of study, it will also survey sociological, historical, and other methodological approaches.

 By the end of the semester, I expect that students will have

• Acquired a knowledge of the differences between various methodologies employed in social science research and the ways in which they complement one-another;

• Developed an understanding of ethical considerations in social science research, in addition to other methodological dilemmas;

• Gained familiarity with the methods of analysis (linguistic, cultural, sociological, historical) and with writing as a mode of representation;

• Learned to design and carry out a research project: conduct library research, write a proposal, apply for and obtain the requisite Institutional approvals and consents to conduct one or more interviews, and write fieldnotes and a research paper based on the work done.