MIRA Project 2005 Courses

Anth 596 Visual Fieldwork Methodologies in Ethnography
This course provides training EthnoGraphic methods, specifically in visual documentation and production of knowledge and analysis based in visual materials. The course focuses on the debates over the difference between ethnographic and the documentary methods of photography and video and how these relate to linguistic based forms of fieldwork methodologies and knowledge production. The course is structured to provide students with the necessary materials and foundation to conceive, design, and actualize their own project in visual ethnography.

This course is an intensive combination of seminar and fieldwork. We use a primary text by Sarah Pink with additional materials to cover other topics. The majority of the reading and discussion is held in Mérida as we conduct research on the visual culture of an urban tourism destination, Mérida. In the context of this course we may also have additional guest lectures who discuss their own fieldwork.

Readings in Course Packet
Sarah Pink, Doing Visual Ethnography. Chapters intro, 1, 2, 3, pp. 1-76.
In Jon Prosser, Image -Based Research, chapter 2, pp. 24-4; chapter 6 pp. 84-96; chapter 8, pp. 115-130.
Select pages from the book, Ethnomethodology
Pages from Designing Qualitative Research
In Ethnography Handbook by Atkinson et al., Chapters 24 on Participant Observation & Fieldnotes & 25 on Interviewing
Jackson, chapter on coding and field notes from his book.

Readings in Electronic Format
Castañeda, "What is an Ethnographic Photograph?" essay, unpublished.
MIRA2004 Seminar, "What is an Ethnographic photograph" (additional background reading in word doc)
Castañeda, excerpt on researcher positioning in essay, "Research Positioning: Anthropology as Subject"
Castañeda, unpublished essay, "Invisible Theatre: Ontology of Fieldwork"
Castañeda, OSEA handout on Coding Fieldnotes and Archiving Research Materials

Assignments and Evaluation
Course evaluation is based on preparation and participation in seminars as well as the conduct of ethnographic project. For this course you will design and conduct an ethnographic research project and complete an ethnography or ethnographic "report" that is based in both writing and visual materials, in certain cases this may also include audio and/or audio-visual materials. The specificity of these projects, norms for writing etc. are introduced during the coursework. Please note that you need to begin to take fieldnotes according to the OSEA Guide to Fieldnotes and Coding. You will be required to turn in your collected ethnographic data/materials-in "original" or copies. (Whats an original, any way?!). Thus toward the end of the program there are days that simply dedicated to finalizing research projects, writing up, analyzing and coding materials. Beware that you must complete the requirements according to instructions for this aspect of the course in order to receive full credit.