The ANU is a portal into the wider world—as societies become ever more interconnected, it is vital to understand the complex cultural dynamics that grip our lives at home and around the globe. Anthropology offers a set of methodological tools and theoretically informed questions to understand how culture is represented and made meaningful in the world today. This course introduces students to anthropological field methods and develops foundational skills to become ethnographers.
EthnoLab 1 combines training in anthropological methods with hands-on practical learning to build knowledge about the cultural research that characterise fieldwork-based data and its synthesis and interpretation in the production of ethnography.
Students will have the opportunity to train in key areas of ethnographic project design, and gain practical skills in anthropological methods, including: taking field notes, creating genealogies, conducting life history interviews, engaging with material culture, visual and digital ethnography, creating and interpreting maps and other spatial data. Across all of these methods, students develop an understanding of the ethical issues involved in anthropological research.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- discuss and use qualitative research methods for data collection including interview-taking, participant observation, archival research, material culture analysis, visual and digital methods, and community mapping;
- analyse anthropological data arising from diverse fieldwork-based methods, evaluate their ethical frameworks, and develop independent interpretive frameworks drawn from sociocultural theory;
- communicate key principles of ethnographic research design and ethics in team-based and collaborative settings, in oral and written formats; and
- objectively reflect on and critically evaluate their own progress, training, and skill development in order to learn independently.
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
As a part of this class, students have to understand the key components of qualitative research and field-based data collection. The practical assignments require them to venture into the "field" and each exercise will introduce them to a different facet of ethnographic methods.
Indicative Assessment
- Practicum Participation (weekly engagement with workshops 10% and one tutorial facilitation 10%) (20) [LO 1,4]
- Practical Exercises (4 x 15% each, 500 words each) (60) [LO 1,2,3]
- Final Reflective Essay (1000 words) (20) [LO 3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours comprised of:
a) 12 hours of lectures, 24 hours of workshops, and
b) 94 hours of independent student learning
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Texts will be made available through the library
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9193 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |