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| Semester | fall semester 2020 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers |
Michelle Engeler (michelle.engeler@unibas.ch)
Till Förster (till.foerster@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Africans have rarely enjoyed the freedom of travel that has become so self-evident for most Europeans. Not only is Europe a fortress for them, but inner African borders may also turn into barriers with unforeseeable risks and uncertainties. Now, for the first time since World War II, Europeans experience similar troubles when moving from one country to another. The guided field-course 2020/21 looks at what borders and frontiers mean for the people on both sides of the Mediterranean. It compares and analyses border regimes and their everyday experience across different African and European countries. The students are invited to form small teams that work on case studies in Africa and Europe in a comparative perspective. The African case studies should be situated in West Africa, in particular in and around Burkina Faso and its neighbours Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Mali. The European cases should come from Central Europe with Switzerland and its neighbours. |
| Learning objectives | The overall goal of the project course is to train and deepen the practice of ethnographic research methods. As course attendees, you will read and discuss relevant literature on standard methods of anthropology but also acquire skills in the analysis of daily social realities. To be ready for the field, the faculty will furthermore help you to develop a research proposal based on your interests and qualitative research approaches. Once in the field, you will be guided by experienced tutors facilitating access and entrances into probably new life worlds. During the spring semester 2021, inputs on data processing and analysing will help you to develop a thorough field report which might form the starting position of your future MA thesis. |
| Comments | Depending on your field site an average knowledge of French will be an advantage. Basic knowledge in qualitative research methods and some experiences of doing fieldwork are a further asset. |
| Admission requirements | The number of participants is limited to 10 people. The places are assigned according to date of enrolment and subject of study. Priority will be given to the subjects listed under "modules". |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul: Ethnographic Research with Field Trip (Master's degree subject: Anthropology) Modul: Europäisierung und Globalisierung (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Modul: Interdisciplinary and Applied African Studies (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Anthropological Fieldwork (Master's degree program: Critical Urbanisms) Module: Changing Societies Lab (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | The course is composed of three parts. The fall term 2020 introduces to anthropological methods and theories relevant for your theme. Each participant will develop his/her research proposal. Field work will be conducted in January and February 2021. During the spring term 2021, you will analyse your findings and write a report of about 8 000 words. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Ethnologie |