Universität Wien

240534 SE Doing Historical Realist Ethnography (2020S)

Continuous assessment of course work

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: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Monday 16.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum D, NIG 4. Stock
Wednesday 18.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
Thursday 19.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum D, NIG 4. Stock
Friday 20.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Monday 23.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Tuesday 24.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 26.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Friday 27.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Students participating in this seminar will learn how the Historical Realist approach in anthropology raises specific kinds of questions for the ethnographic encounter and the resulting kinds of methods that might be used in fieldwork. Historical realism is strongly influenced by the political economy school in anthropology (Eric Wolf, June Nash, Gerald Sider et al) and by the Manchester School of Gluckman and his students. But it is distinct in its use of influences beyond the discipline: Gramsci specifically, but also Eric Hobsbawm, Raymond Williams, Stuart Hall and David Harvey as well as current reinterpretations of the notion Uneven and Combined Development. Each week participants will be introduced to one or more key concepts in this approach as well as selected chapters from ethnographies that exemplify their application in fieldwork research. The course can be seen as the advocacy of a particular approach in anthropology and more broadly in the social sciences.
Structure: After two sessions in which the instructor will introduce the broad outlines of the approach and its intellectual genealogy, subsequent sessions will begin with a short lecture (30 mins) followed by presentations by two students based on assigned texts (depending on enrollment) (30 mins) and seminar discussion (30 mins). Note: As this is an intensive course, participants are strongly advised to start on the reading prior to the start date.
Learning Outcomes The goal of the course is to provide students engaging in ethnography (broadly defined) the ability to construct a problematique that generates a coherent set of research questions appropriate to the production of critical theory. Participants can also expect to acquire skill in identifying different epistemological traditions in social science and the humanities.

Assessment and permitted materials

30% for oral presentation; 50% for final paper [2500 words]; 20% class participation: i.e. attendance and interaction in seminar discussion
CHANGES DUE TO THE SHIFT TO REMOTE TEACHING:
20% attendance
30% oral presentation
25% 500 word reflection on the course. 25% 500 word relating the historical realist approach to your own work/interest  Deadline: 3 April.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

For a passing grade all requirements must be met (attendance, presentation in class and submission of a final paper). Prior readings are mandatory.

The lecturer can invite students to a grade-relevant discussion about partial achievements. Partial achievements that are obtained by fraud or plagiarized result in the non-evaluation of the course (entry 'X' in certificate). From winter term 2019/20 the plagiarism software 'Turnitin' will be used for courses with continuous assessment.

Examination topics

Reading list

Participants will be expected to buy or have access to these 3 books. Additional articles will be made available electronically.
- Smith, Gavin. 2016: Intellectuals and (Counter-) Politics. Berghahn.
- Franquesa, Jaume. 2018: Power Struggles: dignity, value and the renewable energy frontier in Spain. Indiana University Press.
- Rabinow, Paul & Rose, Nikolas, eds. 2003: The Essential Foucault: Selections from Essential Works 1954-84. New York: The New Press.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:21