This class offers hands-on experience in designing and executing a research project. Over one semester, students will learn how to identify a research problem, conduct ethnographic and archival research, and present their findings. In the process, the students will learn to take their theoretical and methodological learning and apply it to questions that interest them. Students are strongly encouraged to focus on a locally-based project and to reach out to local institutions. The first part of the semester focuses on crafting the research question, and it also introduces students to strategies for writing and using audio-visual media for research. In the second part, students will dive into data collection and into working with a medium of their choice, including text. In the last part of the class, students will work on the analysis and on communicating their research findings interestingly and effectively. This class not only unpacks the complexity that underlies contemporary problems but also takes that complexity as a source for creative and critical engagement.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- apply anthropological thinking to an existing problem and evaluate research design as an extension of anthropology;
- gather data through field and archival research methods;
- use media-based research techniques, and develop skills to use audio-visual media to express research findings; and
- extend critical understandings of practicing anthropology beyond the academy.
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
This class takes students through the process of completing a field-based research project. Through participatory research methods, students learn to apply their qualitative research skills and communicate their results effectively.
Indicative Assessment
- Research Abstract (400 words) (10) [LO 1]
- Research Ethics Plan (800 words) (10) [LO 1,4]
- Research Strategy and Data Collection Task (10% + 30%) (1000 words) (35) [LO 1,2]
- Project Analysis (1500 words) (35) [LO 3,4]
- Project Presentation (10 minutes) (10) [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 of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 12 hours of lectures and 24 hours of practicals; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Readings for the course will include selected book chapters and articles from methodology handbooks, anthropological research articles, journalism, and guides to fieldwork.
Preliminary Reading
Ballestero, Andrea, and Brit Ross Winthereik. Experimenting with ethnography: A companion to analysis. Duke University Press, 2021.
Barbash, Ilisa, and Lucien Taylor. "Sweetgrass." (2010).
Gupta, Akhil, and James Ferguson. "Discipline and practice:‘The field’ as site, method, and location in anthropology." Anthropological locations: Boundaries and grounds of a field science 100 (1997): 1-47.
Pandian, Anand. A possible anthropology: methods for uneasy times. Duke University Press, 2019.
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.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3912 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | N/A |