356_long_Walks2015 - The Department of Sociology and...

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
SA 356-4: Ethnography/Qualitative Methods: SA
Summer 2015
Instructor: Dr. Michelle Walks
Office: xxx Office Hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays 12:30 -1:20pm
Email: [email protected] Phone: xxx
Campus: Burnaby, Day 001
Course Description:
This course explores a diversity of ethnographic & qualitative research methods used by
sociologists & anthropologists. Through the use of a variety of recent and historical publications,
in addition to a core course text, this course will touch on the theories & practical elements of
various qualitative methods, & foster students’ ability to compare & contrast methods.
Additionally, through Research Portfolios students will gain practical skills with 5-different
qualitative research methods. Further, this course will examine motivation, benefits, detriments,
politics of representation, & other ethical issues related to the use of ethnography & qualitative
methods.
Grading:
Your final mark in the class will be based on the following:
Participation 20%
Group Presentation 10%
Research Portfolio 70%
Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course
before the deadline date, you will be assigned a N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the
course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade
other than N to be assigned.
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading
practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures
(S10.01 ‐ S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written
assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references,
following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform
themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website:
.
Required Texts:
1. Davies, C.A. 2007. Reflexive Ethnography: A Guide to Researching Selves & Others . (2nd
Edition). Routledge. [ RE ]
2. Readings available through the SFU library (online).
Prerequisite: SA255

Paper and Presentation Requirements:
PARTICIPATION 20%
-5 points handed in 10x through the semester (10%)
-my evaluation (including my observations of your interactions in group work, as well as
individual attendance and participation) (5%)
-peer evaluation (5%)
Participation offers you the opportunity to recall, identify, describe, compare and contrast,
reflect, organize, explain, hypothesize and theorize , and examine key ideas that have been raised
in the readings, films, and classroom activities and assignments. During the first week of class
(and subsequently, in the first week of each month of class) you will be placed in a “team” with
some of your fellow students. Your participation mark is based largely on your participation
within your teams.