SOAN 304Anthropolog. Research Methods

This course is about the various methods of enquiry and interpretation used in anthropological research. Though ethnographic methods are shaped by each research situation and its particular historical and cultural circumstances, they are also guided by broad theoretical questions. This course takes the perspective that research is comprised of three interrelated domains: creative theoretical speculation, methodological ‘operationalization’ of theoretical questions and concrete research practices. The trick (or ‘magic’) of ethnographic research is to relate empirical and observational data in many forms to the theories that motivate their collection. We explore the politics and ethics of research, kinds of observation, effective interviewing strategies, note-taking, conducting surveys, examining archives, ways of ‘coding’ or indexing information, data analysis and approaches to writing. A review of the development of educational thought as expressed in the writings and ideas of major philosophers. This review endeavors to deal with thought in the context of the historical times. Arab thought is included. Annually.