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 introduces students to the historical, methodological, and ethnographic foundations of anthropological research methods, with particular emphasis on ethnographic fieldwork.

Particular attention will be devoted to the following topics: the relationship between the ethnographer and research participants; the ethical and professional principles that guide anthropological fieldwork; field diaries and fieldnotes; interviewing techniques; the biographical method; gender issues in ethnographic research; visual anthropology; the restitution of research results; and language in ethnographic practice, including transcription and the use of linguae francae and other contact languages.

The course also addresses issues related to ethnographic writing, including the intended audience of ethnographic texts, collaborative forms of knowledge production and dissemination, and the use of ethnographic and documentary sources in the writing process.

Attending students may choose to undertake an independent ethnographic fieldwork project, to be designed and discussed with the course lecturer and the course tutors. The fieldwork project will last a minimum of three months (February–April). During this period, three online meetings will be held to discuss the methodological issues, practical challenges, and theoretical questions emerging from students' fieldwork experiences.

 

Readings/Bibliography

For attending and non-attending students not undertaking the fieldwork project

A course reader compiled by the course lecturer, consisting of 15 selected essays, available on the VIRTUALE e-learning platform.

 

For attending students undertaking the fieldwork project

A course reader compiled by the course lecturer, consisting of three selected essays, together with additional readings agreed upon with the course lecturer and specifically selected to support the preparation of the fieldwork research paper.

Teaching methods

The course is based primarily on lectures. Audiovisual materials will occasionally be used to complement the lectures and to provide ethnographic examples that illustrate the topics under discussion.

Students are expected to participate actively in class by asking questions, contributing to discussions, and engaging critically with the issues explored during the course.

Assessment methods

For students undertaking the fieldwork project

A date for the student presentations will be agreed upon during the course. The presentations will take place in June 2026, when all students undertaking the fieldwork project will present the results of their research.

Students choosing this assessment option are required to attend the presentation session and to submit a fieldwork research paper. Detailed guidelines for the preparation of the paper will be provided during the course.

For students who do not undertake the fieldwork project

Assessment consists of the standard oral examination, to be taken during one of the official examination sessions.

Assessment consists of an oral examination, with examination sessions scheduled throughout the academic year (see the section Examination sessions). Students must register for the examination through the ALMAESAMI platform and ensure that all administrative requirements have been fulfilled. To facilitate the organization of the examination schedule and the allocation of individual time slots, registration normally closes 7 days before the examination date.

During the oral examination, students are expected to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the required readings, to present their contents clearly, and to discuss them critically in dialogue with the course lecturer.

Passing the examination requires a careful and complete reading of all the assigned texts. Reliance on summaries, lecture notes, or materials available online does not constitute adequate preparation. Only a close and independent reading of the assigned texts enables students to understand the authors' arguments, appreciate their complexity, and discuss them critically.

The oral examination is not intended as an exercise in rote memorization. Rather, it is conceived as an academic conversation in which students are invited to engage critically with the readings, establish connections among them, and develop their own informed interpretations.

Students should therefore be prepared to answer open-ended questions, propose original interpretations, identify thematic connections across the different readings, compare theoretical and methodological approaches, situate the texts within their historical context, and discuss the relationship between theoretical arguments and specific ethnographic case studies. The ability to formulate critical reflections, raise well-argued questions, or express theoretically and methodologically grounded reservations concerning the assigned readings will be particularly appreciated.

The purpose of the examination is not to reproduce information mechanically or to repeat summaries prepared by others, but rather to demonstrate an attentive, reflective, and independent engagement with the literature.

The examination will be conducted in the language of instruction (Italian).

The oral examination consists of one question on each of the required readings.

An excellent or outstanding grade will be awarded to students who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the required readings, discuss them using appropriate academic language, establish meaningful connections among the different authors, contextualize their theoretical and methodological approaches, and develop independent and critically grounded arguments.

A good or satisfactory grade will be awarded to students who demonstrate an adequate understanding of the required readings, present their main arguments clearly and accurately, and are able to summarize their principal themes using appropriate language.

An unsatisfactory grade will be assigned if students fail to demonstrate the knowledge and competencies specified in the intended learning outcomes of the course, use inappropriate academic language, or are unable to discuss the assigned readings in a critical and informed manner.

In any case, the examination cannot be passed if the candidate fails to answer even one of the questions relating to the required readings.

Students with specific learning needs or disabilities are encouraged to contact the course lecturer at the beginning of the course, or well in advance of the examination, in order to discuss appropriate assessment arrangements.

Examination sessions are scheduled during the following months:

• September
• October
• November
• February
• March
• June
  

The dates of each examination session will be published on AlmaEsami at least one or two months in advance. Registration normally closes 7 before the examination date. Depending on the number of registered students, an examination session may continue over the following days.

Up-to-date information on examination dates and registration procedures is available through the AlmaEsami platform:

https://www.unibo.it/it/didattica/servizi-agli-studenti/almaesami

NOTE on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

AI can be a useful tool to support independent study by providing in-depth analysis, summaries, and self-assessment exercises. However, with regard to assessment, the use of AI is prohibited during exams. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Lectures are supported throughout the course by PowerPoint presentations. Following each class, the presentation slides will be made available to students in the "Teaching Materials" section of the course on the VIRTUALE e-learning platform.

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