72420 - Tecniques of Ethnographical Research (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will know the main methodologies of ethnographic research; they will be able to elaborate autonomous field projects and to identify the most suitable methods for specific research contexts; they will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of specific analytical instruments in contexts varied both historically and culturally.

Course contents

The course aims to address the topic of research techniques from a historical, methodological and, above all, ethnographic perspective.

In particular, the following topics will be considered: the relationship between the ethnographer and his or her interlocutors, the ethical and deontological aspects that characterise the investigation, the the diary and field notes, interviews, the biographical method, gender issues, visual anthropology, and restitution.

Attending students may choose to conduct fieldwork, which will be discussed with the course tutors and the lecturer. The fieldwork will last for a minimum of three months (February-March-April). During the months of fieldwork, there will be meetings to discuss the issues and problems that have emerged.

Readings/Bibliography

FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING CLASSES AND WHO ARE NOT DOING FIELDWORK:

 

1. Pennacini, C. (a cura di), 2010, La ricerca sul campo in antropologia. Oggetti e metodi, Roma, Carocci.

2. Fabietti U., 1998, Etnografia e culture. Antropologi, informatori e politiche dell’identità, Carocci, Roma.

FOR STUDENTS WHO DO FIELDWORK
Course readings package AVAILABLE IN TEACHING MATERIALS
  

 

Teaching methods

The course will consist of lectures supported by audio visual material (when required).

At the end of each lecture there will be a concept checking session to ensure students’ understanding of the themes and issues covered, which will also allow active student participation.

Assessment methods

FOR STUDENTS DOING FIELDWORK

A date will be set for the presentations (the presentations will be in June 2026) during which all students will present their work. All those who have chosen this exam method must be present on the day of the presentations.

FOR STUDENTS NOT DOING FIELD WORK, the exam will be oral, according to the scheduled exam sessions, starting in February 2026.

 

In marking the following assessment criteria will be applied:

30 cum Laude: exceptional exam, solid knowledge, articulate discursive skills, expressive competence, and ability to synthesize.

30: outstanding result, adequate and appropriate knowledge, well-articulated and correctly expressed notions. Good ability to synthesize.

29-27: good exam, more than adequate knowledge, good capacity for expression. Fair ability to synthesize

26-24: fair exam, basic but not exhaustive knowledge, and or not consistently well articulated. Sufficient ability to synthesize.

23-21: passable exam, general but superficial knowledge; limited capacity for expression and confused discourse management. Passable ability to synthesize.

20-18: barely passable exam, discourse management and expressions demonstrating inadequate knowledge. Modest ability to synthesize.

18: inadequate exam, deficient or severely inadequate knowledge, lack of bearing as regards the subject matter.

During the academic year, exams are scheduled for the following months: February 2026, March 2026, April 2026, May 2026, June 2026, July 2026, and September 2026.

Teaching tools

1. 
   The frontal lessons will be supported by Power Point presentations. The Power Point presentation will be uploaded in the “Teaching materials” section of this website.
2. Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Zelda Alice Franceschi