This anthropology course, "Key Debates in Anthropology," delves into ongoing theoretical discussions in social science, emphasising the role of ethnography. Students engage with diverse themes such as "Writing Culture" and "Multimodality" to anchor their research projects in contemporary anthropological discourse, fostering a theoretical understanding of the field.
This course builds on theoretical foundations from previous anthropology courses, guiding students in crafting a robust research proposal for their Master's research project in Applied Anthropology. The course focuses on honing ethnographic research skills and covers essential aspects such as formulating research questions, constructing theoretical frameworks, and addressing research ethics and positionality within partner organizations.
Fieldwork is a vital component of the Master's programme, tailored to individual interests. Students collaborate with requesting organizations to define goals and research questions, employing various methods for data collection. Challenges, both practical and theoretical, are addressed during fieldwork, prompting reflections on evolving answers to questions about connections, research relevance, and chosen methods.
The course aims to enhance students' skills in organising and structuring research material for both an MA thesis and a report, providing practical advice on scientific and applied writing. Emphasizing the connection among students during the writing process, the course covers analysis, interpretation of research data, methods, and the translation of anthropological research into applied forms.
The objectives of the Master's thesis include presenting a written and oral account of an individual research study, demonstrating familiarity with methodological and ethical aspects, extrapolating theoretical insights, and translating academic findings into practical applications. The thesis structure involves an introduction, three to four chapters presenting research findings, and a conclusion. Additionally, the applied theses require a final product for the organisation, and the Master's thesis must meet specific requirements.