Universität Wien

080011 KU B730 Ethnographic Writing: Human Worlds in Machine-Mediated Realities (2025S)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 8 - Kunstgeschichte und Europäische Ethnologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Tu 29.04. 16:15-17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 04.03. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 11.03. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 18.03. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 25.03. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 01.04. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 08.04. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 06.05. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 13.05. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 20.05. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 27.05. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 03.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 10.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 17.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse
  • Tuesday 24.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Seminarraum 1 (2.Stock, rechts) EE Hanuschgasse

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course serves as a practical exercise in ethnographic writing and combines concrete writing tasks with a critical reflection on the writing process and the role of digital technologies - especially artificial intelligence (AI) - in ethnographic knowledge production. In addition to classic meta-discourses, such as the “Writing Culture” debate and the problems of ethnographic representation, current challenges posed by the increasing digitalization of everyday life are analysed. How do AI-supported text generators influence authorship, style and reflexivity? What new text types or narrative styles are emerging as a result of the need to describe hybrid physical-digital worlds? To what extent do concepts and methods of ethnographic research, including “field”, “participant observation” and “experience”, need to be adapted to machine-mediated everyday life and realities? These questions will be explored both theoretically and through our own empirical writing experiments in order to develop a sound understanding of the opportunities and limitations of digital and AI-supported writing practices.

The course focuses on the process of writing: participants will write various texts and text types over the course of the semester, which we will discuss, edit and revise together. The use of AI (e.g. ChatGPT) will also be tested - both as a tool for writing processes and as an object of critical analysis. Students reflect on the extent to which AI changes or challenges linguistic, stylistic and methodological dimensions of ethnographic writing. The aim is to develop an awareness of the opportunities and risks of using AI in ethnographic and academic contexts.

The course is designed as a blended learning format. In mini-ethnographies in the environment of the institute or the students, materials for writing exercises are obtained, which are commented on online, corrected and discussed in the group. In addition, AI-generated texts are used as comparative examples and analyzed with regard to their strengths, weaknesses and ethical implications.

If required, this writing workshop can also support the writing of assignments in other European Ethnology courses.

Assessment and permitted materials

Compulsory attendance (2 x absences permitted).

Points are awarded as follows:

- 5 x 10 points: Writing assignments of ethnographic texts (incl. AI-supported writing experiments)
- 40 points: active participation, correction notes and feedback for peers
- 10 points: Text summary and critical discussion of reading (incl. reflection on AI-supported texts)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Für den erfolgreichen Abschluss der LV sind zumindest 51 von 100 möglichen Punkten zu erreichen.

Notenskala:
> = 92 sehr gut (1)
> = 80 gut (2)
> = 65 befriedigend (3)
> = 51 genügend (4)
< 51 nicht genügend (5)

Examination topics

Die praktische Verbindung von Lektüre und Empirie sowie das Abfassen verschiedener (ethnographischer) Texte wird geübt und bewertet. Zusätzlich werden KI-gestützte Schreibpraktiken kritisch reflektiert und in den Schreibprozess integriert. Ferne werden Bezüge der Digitalisierung zu ethnographischem Schreiben untersucht sowie eruiert welche (neuen) Methoden sich für die Beschreibung digitaler und hybrid-sozialer Welten eignen.

Reading list

Eine Literaturliste wird in der Lernplattform Moodle bereitgestellt und umfasst sowohl klassische Texte zur ethnographischen Repräsentation als auch aktuelle Beiträge zu KI in der Wissenschaft und im Schreiben sowie zur Ethnographie in digitalen Kontexten.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 26.02.2025 17:25