Universität Wien

160147 PS Advanced Methods: Digital ethnography for linguists (2022S)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 16 - Musikwissenschaft und Sprachwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

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. 40 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

This course is scheduled to take place on campus.

  • Monday 07.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 14.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 21.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 28.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 04.04. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 25.04. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 02.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 09.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 16.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 23.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 30.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 13.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 20.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 27.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this course, we will deal with digital linguistic ethnography, an approach to the qualitative study of communicative behavior online. As an increasingly popular approach, digital ethnography seeks to apply the core tenets of ethnographic research to the study of the things people do in digital spaces. This course has two main aims:

(a) students should gain an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations of digital ethnography, including considerations of how social life operates in an online-offline world;
(b) students should acquire practical knowledge and hands-on experience on how to design and conduct digital ethnographic studies, familiarizing themselves with established methodological tools and learning to make informed methodological decisions.

The course will focus particularly on the relevance of digital ethnographic approaches to (applied) linguistics research while also problematizing disciplinary labels and promoting an interdisciplinary research ethos. We will also be discussing relevant ethics questions (e.g., privacy, empowering research participants).

By the end of the course, students should:
- have a firm understanding of digital ethnography as a full-fledged approach to studying online communication;
- be able to critically evaluate the relevance of various methodological approaches that may suit their research interests;
- be capable of making informed methodological decisions in their research pursuits;
- know how to design and conduct a digital ethnographic study on a topic of their choice;
- have developed their skills in critical group discussions, public presentations and academic writing.

The course will be taught in English and it will be discussion-oriented. Students' active participation is greatly encouraged.

Assessment and permitted materials

The course will rely on continuous assessment. The students' final grade will be determined by:

(a) their participation in class discussions (5%);
(b) weekly readings and work on small assignments (30%);
(c) a final project (65%), which will consist in a final paper (55%) and an early presentation of the students' chosen topic (10%; this presentation will be done either in writing or as a class presentation, depending on the number of students enrolled in the course).

Detailed information on the assessment scheme can be found in the course syllabus (available on Moodle).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Some background knowledge on ethnography is welcome but not required.

Students will be assessed on the basis of their contribution to the course throughout the semester following the assessment scheme. Their active participation in the course is strongly encouraged. Attendance is mandatory (max. 3 absences).

Examination topics

Class discussions; readings; short weekly assignments; preliminary presentation of research plans (spoken or in writing); research paper.

Reading list

A full reading list for the course can be found in the course syllabus.

Association in the course directory

BA-M12
MA2-M3

Last modified: Fr 11.02.2022 14:48