Social Anthropological Method

The course is an introduction to the anthropological research process, from preparation and fieldwork to analysis and completed text. The different parts of the research process are dealt with, with a particular focus on the connection between the problem to be addressed and the choice of method during the fieldwork as well as during the writing process. This knowledge is important in order to improve the understanding of strengths and weaknesses of the various anthropological methods, as well as for the reading of the scholarly literature in a comparative and useful manner. Ethical issues connected with method and representation are also dealt with as a continuous part of the discussions during the semester.

After the completion of the course the students shall:

- Know of the various steps of the anthropological research process
- Know of various/central techniques of data collection, with emphasis on qualitative method
- Be able to reflect on different challenges connected with data collection in various contexts
- Be able to understand the connection between theory and method in anthropology
- Know of and be able to identify and discuss ethical dilemmas of data collection and presentation
- Be able to explain what is meant by the statement that ethnographic texts are integrative parts of anthropological method
- Be able to read anthropological texts and discuss, compare and contextualize variations in genre, argumentation and empirical selection

Lectures and seminars (approx. 24 hours). Approved written assignment.