Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module HUSS3291: ETHNOGRAPHIC DIARY

Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HUSS3291: ETHNOGRAPHIC DIARY

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to C1L6
Tied to B991
Tied to L600

Prerequisites

  • Participation in an Erasmus exchange or an appropriate similar experience in a different academic culture in Michaelams Term of the 3rd year.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To give students experience in the detailed recording of life in another culture through the regular completion of an ethnographic diary.
  • To encourage students to reflect on their experiences abroad as these contribute to their personal and academic development, in a written format less constrained than the conventional 'academic paper'.

Content

  • The ethnographic diary is a linchpin of methods in social anthropology.
  • Including this module as part of a student's third year work enables those who take a semester at a University abroad in their third year to capitalise on this experience not only through research for their third year dissertation, and the modules they take abroad, but also by recording and reflecting on their situation and experience as a whole.
  • Reflection through diary writing is a process that is instilled in students throughout their three years at UDSC, but one which is otherwise not assessed in their third year.
  • The ethnographic diary will also give tutors another means of evaluating the success of the Erasmus programme in which the student has participated and insights into possible measures for its improvement.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of this module students will have a full ethnographic record of their experience abroad.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • The practice of anthropological research methods including participant observation and the analysis of relevant texts and usual materials.
Key Skills:
  • Observation, recording and reflective writing.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours

Summative Assessment

Component: Ethnographic diary Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Ethnographic diary 10000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

None


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University