AR2ETH: Methods and Approaches in Ethnographic Practice

Module code: AR2ETH

Module provider: Archaeology; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Alanna Cant , email: a.m.cant@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides students with foundational skills and understanding of ethnographic research in social anthropology. Through seminars, practical activities, and film screenings, students will explore key methodologies, ethical considerations, and modes of ethnographic representation in both text and film. This module aims to support students in conducting their own qualitative research by providing hands-on experience in techniques like observation, surveys, and media analysis, thereby supporting student dissertation research and employability through experience in qualitative research methods.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of core ethnographic methods, including ethical considerations and practical applications in qualitative research.
2. Critically analyse and interpret ethnographic texts and films, articulating how anthropologists convey cultural insights through different modes of representation.
3. Apply key ethnographic techniques—such as observation, media analysis, and object biographies—in structured mini-research projects, effectively preparing for independent research.

Module content

Students on this module will learn about ethnographic research methods and modes of ethnographic representation in text and film. The module is delivered through a combination of practicals, seminars and film screenings. Practicals focus on understanding and using key methods in ethnographic research, such as surveys, observation, object biographies, media analysis, and research ethics. Seminars investigate different ways that anthropologists represent social life and research in text through topics such as “people in context” and “narrating events”. Screenings of ethnographic films illustrate different kinds of ethnographic research and introduce the medium of film in anthropology.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is divided into eleven weeks of teaching, with 2 hours of teaching sessions per week. Learning is supported by independent reading, extra materials on Blackboard, and pre-lecture/ pre-seminar activities that may include screencasts, blogs, and/or online activities.

As a 20-credit module, AR2ETH should involve 200 hours of study time, including 23 contact hours of lectures, seminars, and an assessment drop-in session. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• Opportunity to receive peer-to-peer feedback on Critical Film Review plan
• An assignment Q&A drop in session.
• Oral feedback will also be given during teaching sessions

Reassessment

Additional costs