ZURn6333 Ethnography in Communications Research

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Khin-Wee Chen, PhD. (lecturer)
Mgr. Iveta Jansová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Iveta Jansová, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Boris Rafailov, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 12:00–13:40 Rádio 544
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course aims to
•to provide students with an overview of ethnography as a media research method.
•to introduce students to the different types of ethnographic methods.
•to teach students how to collect and analyse data using ethnographic methods.
•to help students develop their own ethnographic media research projects.
•to promote an understanding of the ethical considerations involved in ethnographic research.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
•students will be able to define ethnography and explain its role as a media research method.
•students will be able to identify the different types of ethnographic methods and explain their strengths and weaknesses.
•students will be able to collect and analyse data using ethnographic methods.
•students will be able to develop their own ethnographic media research projects.
•students will be able to understand the ethical considerations involved in ethnographic research.
Specifically, students will be able to:
•distinguish between emic and etic perspectives in ethnography.
•explain the difference between overt and covert research.
•identify the key concepts in ethnography, such as immersion, culture, and field sites.
•choose appropriate ethnographic methods for their research projects.
•collect data using ethnographic methods, such as interviews, focus groups, and participant observation.
•analyse data using ethnographic methods, such as coding and thematic analysis.
•explain or present their research findings in a clear and concise manner.
•understand the ethical considerations involved in ethnographic research, such as informed consent and confidentiality.
Syllabus
  • 1. Role of Social Science
  • 2. Emic vs ethic perspective
  • 3. Key concepts in ethnography
  • 4. Data collection techniques
  • 5. Ethnographic methods
  • 6. Data analysis in ethnographic research
  • 7. Digital ethnography
  • 8. Case studies of media ethnography
  • 9. Practical application (proposal)
  • 10. Practical application (data collection)
  • 11. -||-
  • 12. Practical Application (data analysis)
  • 13. 3MT presentations
Literature
  • KOZINETS, Robert V. Netnography : the essential guide to qualitative social media research. 3E. Los Angeles: Sage, 2020, viii, 460. ISBN 9781526444707. info
Teaching methods
The course will be taught using a variety of methods, including lectures, videos, discussions, class group work, readings and student presentations. Students will be required to complete an ethnographic research proposal, collect and analyse data, explain their findings in a 3-minute presentation and author a reflective paper.
Assessment methods
The course assessment will be based on the following components:
•Readings (10%): Students will take turns to lead selected class discussions based on assigned readings. They will be assessed on their ability to comprehend the readings, critically think about the course material, and communicate their understanding effectively to their peers.
•Attendance and class participation (5%): Students are expected to attend at least 80% of classes, contribute to group discussions and participate in classroom activities. This will assess their ability to participate in discussions, share their ideas, and collaborate with others.
•Research proposal (20%): Students will submit a 2-page proposal outlining their individual media-related ethnographic project, which will span the duration of the course. The proposal will include a general description of the phenomenon they intend to explore, a primary research question and a list of methods they plan to employ. Peers, guided by the instructor, will review the proposals to assess their viability and ethical considerations. This process aims to evaluate students' aptitude in developing a research proposal, formulating a research question, and providing a rationale for their chosen research methods.
•Field notes (20%): Students will engage in participant observation, and actively observe and document relevant information through sight, hearing, and other means for later reference. This documentation can take the form of traditional handwritten notes or digital formats, including audio recordings, videos, screenshots, and social media posts. Subsequently, students will construct a narrative based on their fieldnotes that summarises their observations for that particular day. As part of their submission, they will provide a 2-page excerpt from their fieldnotes, along with a brief paragraph reflecting on how these observations align with the broader themes and research questions of the project. This assignment aims to evaluate students’ engagement in participant observation and assess the documentation of their observations in a way that is both comprehensive and reflective.
•Interview (20%): Students are to conduct an interview with a research participant either in-person or through remote means. The interview should centre around a particular subject, occurrence, or personal encounter. Alternatively, a broader life-history interview is also permissible. Record and transcribe the interview, and subsequently write a concise 2-page summary that reflects on the interview process, incorporating details about the setting and surrounding circumstances. Additionally, discuss the knowledge gained in relation to the research project. As an alternative option, you may choose to create a character description, in which case, write a 2-page ethnographic portrayal of the individual you interviewed. The essay must include direct quotes from the interviewee.
•3MT competition (15%): Students will summarise their research findings and present a compelling speech about their research and its significance to a non-academic and non-specialist audience in just three minutes using only one presentation image. This will assess their ability to communicate their research findings in a clear and concise way. A panel of invited guest lecturers will select the best presentation. The winner will receive bonus points.
•Reflection (5%): Students will write a one-page reflection on their learning journey in this course. This will assess their ability to reflect on their learning, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and set goals for the future.
The total weighting for the course assessment is 100%. The assessments are designed to assess the students' knowledge, skills, and abilities in a variety of areas, including their ability to understand and critically engage with the course material, participate in discussions, develop a research proposal, collect data, analyse data, communicate their findings and reflect on their learning.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2023/ZURn6333