Admission requirements
For students of BA Religious Studies, who have successfully taken Methods and Techniques 1: Research on Sources, Objects, and Texts
Description
This course explores qualitative research methods for the study of religion, focusing on anthropological approaches and conducting ethnographic fieldwork. Based on a variety of reading materials and hands-on research assignments, we discuss and test the theory and practice of employing fieldwork in research on living religious communities. Students carry out their own project and gain experience with participant observation, conducting interviews, crafting field notes, and developing the collected material into a research report. We will also discuss the inevitable ethical conundrums that accompany field research.
Course objectives
In this course, students will gain knowledge in the following fields:
The place of qualitative research in the study of religion and social sciences more broadly’
The ethical aspects of doing fieldwork, in the context of religion and more broadly
Students will develop insight into the following issues:A critical understanding of designing, conducting, and evaluating a small fieldwork project in a religious community
What field research means and what kind of knowledge can be gained through field research as opposed to other methods
Their own positionality as researchers, especially in relation to the community where they undertake their research
After successfully completing this course, students have developed the following skills:Competences in undertaking ethnographic research, including participant observation, conducting interviews, participant observation
Improved oral and written communication
Translating academic questions to non-academic audiences
Working independently on a project
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Choose from:
- Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment and weighing
Research Portfolio: 30%
Research Report: 50%
Attendance and Participation (including a short presentation on research project): 20%
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
To be entitled to the resit, students must have been present and active in class and not missed more than two sessions. Only the components for which students received an insufficient grade may be retaken.
A resit is organized for every constituent exam.
Students who fail the research portfolio (30%) are given two weeks to submit a new version.
Students who fail the research report (50%) are given two weeks to submit a new version.
Students who fail the attendance and participation component (20%) will be able to take an oral exam.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
We will draw on a broad variety of articles and other academic and non-academic sources. All materials will be made available through the library and Brithspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Exchange
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Herta Mohr