ENGL 5369 _Spring 2010_ Course Syllabus _Ethnography

8/14/2019 ENGL 5369 _Spring 2010_ Course Syllabus _Ethnography

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INSIDE THIS

SYLLABUS

Course Policies andProcedures . . . . . . . . . . 2 Attendance/Participation Late Work

Technology Issues

In-Class Conduct

Course Policies . . . . . . 3 Paper Format

Academic Honesty

Diversity Statement

Students with Disabilities

Office Hours

Course Policies . . . . . . 4 Course Calendar

Teaching Philosophy

Social Networking

Student LearningOutcomes

Assignments/Grading . . . 5

Grade Distribution

Grading Scale

Grade Appeal Process

Questions

Student LearningOutcomes . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Listing

Graph

Table

Daily Schedule . . . . . . . 8

Prerequisites for thiscourse: GraduateStanding

Course DescriptionThe goal of nearly all social research is to discover, describe, and makeunderstandable the characteristics, causes, and consequences of socialphenomena and its reality. While few would argue with the goals ofdiscovery, description, and explanation, there has long been heated

debate concerning the matter of how best to study various social realities.Different methodologies produce different results. Our goal is tounderstand part of this world using qualitative research methodologies.

The general aim of the seminar is to broaden and sharpen yourmethodological imagination and skills by familiarizing you with a set ofmethodological strategies and techniques that are (a) generally defined as"qualitative" in contrast to "quantitative;" that are (b) employed for thepurpose of generating and analyzing data that are not normally tapped bysurvey research, demographic techniques, or experimental procedures;and that (c) typically require the practitioner to spend time "in the field."

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Professor: Dr. Billie Hara Email: [email protected] Twitter: @ProfHara Blog Address: http://engl5369.wordpress.com/ Phone: (361) 825-2360 Office: FC 274A Office Hours: M/W: 1:30 to 2:30, T/TH: 4:00 to 5:30, and by appt.

REQUIRED TEXTS: Wolcott, Ethnography: A Way of Seeing (2008)

Cintron, Angels' Town (1997) Emerson, Fretz, and Shaw, Writing Ethnographic Field notes (1995) Various articles on library reserve / resources on course blog Ethnographic equipment you might need (you can borrow this from me if

you do not have your own): camera, digital video camera, digital audiorecorder

Internet access Portable storage medium (e.g. flash drive) A few dollars on your SandDollar card for printouts.

ENGL 5369

T/R: -5:30 6:45 p.m.

Ethnographic Methods and ResearchSpring 2010


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Attendance/ ParticipationYou must attend and be on time for class, because the work we will do during class will be crucialto your understanding of the material and your success in the course. In addition, English 5369 is

a pre-professional course, and you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner,which includes good attendance. If you are alive, you need to be here. To be considered present,you must be in class on time, participate in all class activities, and remain in class for the entireperiod.

Absenceso If dire circumstances cause you to miss class, let me know and I will work with you.o The only excused absence is a university sanctioned one. Extra-curricular (non-

academic) activities, studying for another course, breaking up with a boyfriend /girlfriend, and very many similar issues are not sufficient cause to miss this class orto be late with an assignment.

o Excessive absences will lower your final grade: after two absences, you will lose -letter grade for each additional absence.

o

At five or more absences, you will fail the course.o Missing class the day an assignment is due does not automatically mean you get

more time to complete that assignment. Tardies

o If you arrive at class after your name is called, you are tardy. Two tardies equal oneunexcused absence.

Late WorkI will take any essay up to a week late (Monday to Monday, for example) without a grade penalty.However, when you submit your work late, I do not put comments on your work. I will not acceptlate work after the last day of classes (no exceptions).

Technology Issues

This course relies heavily on access to computers, specific software, and the Internet. At somepoint during the semester, you WILL have a problem with technology: your laptop will crash, a filewill become corrupted, a server will go down, or something else will occur. These are facts, notemergencies. Technology problems are no excuse for unfinished work. Count on "stuff"happening and protect yourself by doing the following: Plan start early, particularly if scarceresources are required. Save work often at least every ten minutes. Make regular backups offiles in a different location from the originals. Save drafts of work at multiple stages. When editingan image, set aside the original and work with a copy. Practice safe computing when surfing theweb and checking email. On your personal computer, install and use software to control virusesand malware.

In-Class Conduct

In general, treat each other and me with respect and follow simple standards of common courtesy.Here are a few specifics:

Please turn offall cell phones or other electronic communication devices and place them out ofsight (in a bag, purse, pocket) while in class.

Use the computers only for ENGL 5369-related purposes. Please do not engage in e-mailing,IMing, or the use of social networking websites (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.) during classunless directed. Those who violate this policy will be required to turn off their monitor until thecomputer is needed for class work.

Please do not bring food to class (it can be highly disruptive). If you wish to have a drink, as Iwill usually have one, please make sure it has a secure lid.

When group work is assigned in class, you must work in a group, not as an individual.

During group work time, please stay on task and work cooperatively with other group members.

Course policies

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Paper Format

All out-of-class writing, including rough drafts, must be word-processed and in the format

discussed in class. (This is generally double-spaced, normal font (Times New Roman orAriel) in a 12-point font, 1 margins.)

Academic Honesty/ PlagiarismThe university will not tolerate plagiarism or any other form of intellectual/academicdishonesty. Plagiarism is a serious violation of departmental and University policies, but itis sometimes difficult to understand what plagiarism actually is. Often, students commitunintentional plagiarism (not citing sources properly, for example), because they areunaware of the standards that apply. In general, any work that contains material fromsources (including your textbooks) must be documented properly. Work that is turned infor the course that is plagiarized will be failed. If you are unsure about your use of sources,please consult with me or visit the writing center (in the TLC, in Library 216) for advice onsource documentation BEFORE the item is due. For this course, you must use either APA orMLA citation style but be consistent. Any grammar handbook and many web sites havedirections on correct citation. You can find an excellent review of the various forms ofplagiarism, good for any teacher to review/use, at this link. It is long, but worthwhile.(http://firstyear.tamucc.edu/wiki/Resources/PlagiarismTutorial).

Acceptance of Diversity

We are the most diverse campus, in terms of racial identity, in the Texas A&M system. Thismeans that we are all meeting and working with people who are different from ourselves interms of their identities: whether that is defined by their race, ethnicity, class, gender,sexual orientation, and/or religion. Respecting and accepting difference is vital to yoursuccess in this class, on this campus, as a future teacher in your own classroom, and in theglobal community.

Students with DisabilitiesThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute thatprovides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among otherthings, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learningenvironment, which provides reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believeyou are a student requiring an accommodation, please contact the Office for Students withDisabilities at 825-5816. Students with special needs (recognized and documented by theUniversity) should notify me so we can discuss appropriate instructional aides oraccommodations. These conversations will be confidential.

Academic Advising

The College of Arts and Humanities requires that students meet with an Academic Advisor

as soon as they are ready to declare a major. The Academic Advisor will set up a degreeplan, which must be signed by the student, a faculty mentor, and the department chair.The College's Academic Advising Center is located in Driftwood 203E, and can be reached at825-3466. If your major is in another College (e.g., Education), please contact that collegefor information and requirements about advising.

Office Hours

During the office hours posted on the first page, I will be in my office and available to talkwith you about any questions, comments, or concerns you have about the course. Pleasestop by and see me during these hours. If those hours do not work for you, email me, andwe will find a mutually convenient time.

Course policies

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Course CalendarIn the course calendar that follows, you will find what we will be doing each day, what youare expected to read or write for homework. The course calendar is very important, and

you are responsible for completing all the assignments listed. Keep in mind, too, thatwriting can be a longer process than I can image now as I construct this syllabus.Therefore, I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus as we move through thesemester. If we do make changes, do not be alarmed. The changes will most often helpyou. Those changes, however, will NOT be to move a date up early; if I have to change adate, it will be to give you more time.

Tw itter and other Social Networking Tools

I am an avid social media user. As time allows, we will use some social networking tools inclass. In addition to regular office hours, I am on the Twitter network as @ProfHara. Youcan follow me if you wish. In the Twitter space, you can ask brief questions (140characters), and I will reply to you.

Philosophy of TeachingMy teaching philosophy centers on ideas of critical / relational pedagogy, and the centralgoals are simple. The critical: I will challenge you to think differently about the writing,about the world, and even about yourself. The relational: while the responsibility forlearning belongs to you, we will do the work together. I support your products and yourefforts.

Student Learning OutcomesAt the end of this course, you should be able to:

1. Identify the various forms of ethnographic research2. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues concerning human subjects and

data collection.

3. Analyze and interpret collected data

Please see the graphic on the next page to understand how the courseassignments w ill help you meet these student-learning outcomes.

Course policies

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Assignments

Thurs 1/14 Introduction to Course; Sign up for Presentations; An Experiment in Art

Tues 1/19Ethics of Ethnographic ResearchJane Elliott and the Class Divided [video]

Wolcott (Chap 1-2), pp. x-42

Thurs 1/21Border StudiesEthnographic Study Invention WorkshopSign up for Presentations

Tues 1/26 Wolcott (Chap 3), pp. 43-68 (Un)natural Bridges, (Un)safe Spaces,The Gloria Anzalda Reader

[.pdf]

Thurs 1/28 Wolcott (Chap 4), pp. 69-104

Tues 2/2CITI TRAINI NG COMPLETEDIRB Form Due

Wolcott (Chapter 5), pp. 105-36

Thurs 2/4 Wolcott (Chapter 6), pp. 137-76 Disability & Identity. The Gloria Anzalda Reader [.pdf]

Tues 2/9

Shelby Lee Adams The True Meaning of Pictures [video]Shelby Lee Adams, Appalachian Lives.

Hernandez, Jesus Rene Luna Photo-ethnography by People Living inPoverty Near the Northern Border of Mexico. [.pdf]

Thurs 2/11 Wolcott (Chapter 7), pp. 177-200

Tues 2/16 Wolcott (Chaps 8-10), pp. 201-238

Thurs 2/18 Wolcott (Chaps. 11-12), pp. 239-64 Wolcott (Chaps. 13), pp. 265-90

Tues 2/23 Taylor & Hickey, Fanta, Flor, and the Future.Tunnel Kids. [.pdf] Saldvar, Jos David, Changing Borderland Subjectivities. [pdf]

Thurs 2/25 Border Arte. The Gloria Anzalda Reader. [.pdf]

Tues 3/2 Cintron, Angels Town pp. ix-97

Thurs 3/4 Cintron, Angels Town pp. 98-129

Tues 3/9 Cintron, Angels Town pp. 163-end.

Dail Schedule sub ect to chan e

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Thurs 3/11 Fay, Michaela. Mobile Subjects, Mobile Methods: Doing Virtual

Ethnography in a Feminist Online Network [.pdf]

Tues SPRING BREAK

Thurs SPRING BREAK

Tues 3/23 Bishop, Wendy. I-Witnessing in Composition: Turning

Ethnographic Data into Narratives. [.pdf]

Thurs 3/25 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE

Tues 3/30 Writing Field notes, pp. vii.16

Thurs 4/1 Writing Field notes, pp. 17-38

Tues 4/6 Writing Field notes, pp. 39-65

Thurs 4/8Writing Field notes, pp. 66-107FIELD WORK ESSAY DUE


Thurs 4/15 Writing Field notes, pp. 142-168


Thurs 4/22 Writing Workshop

Tues 4/27 Writing Workshop

Thurs 4/29 Writing Workshop

Tues 5/4 LAST CLASS SESSION

Tues 5/11 FINAL RESEARCH REPORT DUE ( 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.)


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SYLLABI CHECKLIST

x Name of Instructor

x Course title

x Course number

x Office phone number

x E-mail address

x Office number and building

x Office hours

x Course description

x Student Learning Outcomes_x__ at least two

_x__ student focused

_x__ measurable

_x__SLOs are the same as other sections of course

x Graded activity

_x__specific dates of assignments

_x__nature of assignments

_x__assignment weight

x Policies (Recommended but NOT required)

_x__late work __x_plagiarism

_x__missed exams __x_attendance & tardiness

_x__preferred methods of scholarly citations

x Required statements

_x_ student with disabilities statement*

_x__advising statement**

_x__grade appeals process***

x Supplies (if applicable)

x Texts/readings (if applicable)

x Provisional course outline

Documents

ENGL 5369 _Spring 2010_ Course Syllabus _Ethnography