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:

1. 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;
2. analyse anthropological data arising from diverse fieldwork-based methods, evaluate their ethical frameworks, and develop independent interpretive frameworks drawn from sociocultural theory;
3. communicate key principles of ethnographic research design and ethics in team-based and collaborative settings, in oral and written formats; and
4. objectively reflect on and critically evaluate their own progress, training, and skill development in order to learn independently.

Research-Led Teaching

I have concurrent ethnographic research projects described on my research page. I will discuss these projects in this course as relevant in the contexts of lectures and seminars. In some of the seminars I may invite guest lecturers to discuss their research during a lecture or a relevant seminar session.

Field Trips

This weekly seminar is a research practicum, which means that students will be responsible for undertaking several independent fieldwork projects and workshopping methods and data in the weekly practicum. No formal excursions or field trips will be organised.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	What is Ethnography?	Students must send the convenor a learning statement by Wednesday of Week 1 describing what they hope to get out of the course and the best ways they like to learn and engage with course content.
2	Going to the Field
3	Deep Hanging Out	Student Facilitations begin (Assessment Task 1.B)
4	Thinking About Ethics	Practical Exercise 1 - Fieldnotes (Assessment Task 2.A)
5	Talking to People
6	Sitting Still, Going Along	Practical Exercise 2 - Interviews (Assessment Task 2.B)
7	Visual Ethnography
8	Digital Ethnography
9	Design Anthropology	Practical Exercise 3 - Open Choice (Assessment Task 2.C)
10	Data, Modelling and AI: Brave New Worlds
11	Writing Up
12	Consolidation

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Seminar Participation (ongoing, weekly)	20 %	1,2,3,4
Practical Exercises	60 %	2,3
Final Reflexive Essay	20 %	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Please see Assessment Task 1 A and B

Assessment Task 1

Seminar Participation (ongoing, weekly)

Part A

Weekly “practicals” will engage students in hands-on learning. These 2-hr lab-based activities will ask students to understand and interpret the tutorial readings and apply concepts to original research topics. Your participation in the practicums will be assessed (10%) according to:

1. Engagement in individual and group tasks;
2. Comprehension and discussion of the readings, including asking questions;
3. Critical analysis of the readings using specific examples from your own fieldwork. 

Part B

Each student will facilitate discussion during one workshop throughout the semester (10%). This will include:

1. A 8-10min synthesis of the assigned reading
2. Preparing discussion questions and/or activities for 20 mins of group-based learning.

Faciliations will be held from Week 3 onward

Assessment Task 2

Practical Exercises

Students will be required to complete three (3) small project assignments. In addition to providing practice in the use of common ethnographic methods, these assignments are designed to encourage students to reflect on the value and limitations of individual methods.

Part A. Fieldnotes.

1. Take one event that has happened in the field and, if you haven’t already, write it up as full descriptive fieldnotes (this will be practiced in class in Week 3). This should be approximately 1 A4 page.

2. Write an ‘analytic memo’ of 500 words (+/- 10%) reflecting on your experience of taking fieldnotes. This is a mini-analysis of what you think you have learnt during your experience, including what you have learned from the data as well as any limitations in your approach.

Part B. Interview

1. Prepare an Interview Guide (we will practice this in class in week 5)

2. Conduct and record (using audio or video) a short key informant or group interview. Please see the lecturer if you want to check about the ethics of this sort of interview.

3. Transcribe 5-10 minutes of relevant discussion in the interview – include pauses, mumblings, important background noises, as well as time-stamps.

4. Write a short analytical memo (500 words +/- 10%) that analyses what you have learned from the interview, as well as your reflections on the process.

Part C

Students should choose one (1) of the following projects (most relevant/feasible to your interests):

Mapping Exercise

1. Produce a map (cognitive, community/participatory, GIS, Google, or otherwise) of a space, place, intersection, process, practice, event, or flow.
2. Draft a 500 word (+/- 10%) analytical and interpretive memo analysing the map.

OR

Ephemeral Analysis

Ephemera are objects created to be temporary and can include and can include letters, old boxes, advertising, leaflets, posters, packaging, birthday cards, book marks, brochures, invitations, magazines and periodicals, menus, pamphlets, programs, tickets, timetables, or postcards, among many others!  Possible questions that can guide an ephemeral analysis include: what is the message/purpose of this object? Why/how was it produced? How can we think of it as a form of representation? What is the intended audience? What does it say about the time/space/context/condition of its production? How does it shape the social context you are studying?

1. Take photographs of the ephemera you have collected for analysis.
2. Analyse the ephemera in a 500 word (+/- 10%) analytical memo, referring to the possible questions outlined above

 

OR

Digital Analysis

1. Participate and observe a digital platform, such as Twitter/X, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, website, forum, game, Listserv, blog, etc. 
2. Consider the intended community of users, the forms of representation, and layout/design elements (affordances) of the digital platform. Consider deepening your analysis with formal or informal interviews about its use in daily practice.
3.  Prepare a 500 word analytical memo reflecting on your participant observation, including details about the digital platform/s you have accessed and methods you have used.

 

OR

Photo/Video Analysis

1. Analyse a photo or video you’ve taken for your field project or found through your research.
2. Submit your notes, the photo with a caption, and a 500 word (+/- 10%) analytic memo using the photo as data.

Assessment Task 3

Final Reflexive Essay

Drawing on key themes from the course and the fieldwork you have undertaken, the course culminates with a reflective essay (1,500 words). This is an opportunity for students to reflect on their process and to bring method, methodology and fieldwork into conversation.

The reflective essay will be based on an analysis of activities and fieldnotes collected throughout the semester (i.e., What did you do, Why did you do this, and How did it go?). You are also required to evaluate how you would conduct a longer-term ethnography in the place or organisation you focussed on, if you were given the opportunity in the future. Finally, students will be expected to consider the successes of their fieldwork and any major conclusions, but also to analyse how and why you could deepen or change your method or methodology, and what questions they would investigate more carefully.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Feedback and marks will be returned to students within two week (14 days) of submission. A numerical grade only will be provided for the final reflexive assessment as this will be the culmination of work begun in seminar activities and through the practical exercises (A-D)

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students