In order to continue the process of learning from home, we are bringing a series of virtual Researching Heritage sessions for you throughout Summer 2020.
This virtual workshop is about Knowing the Other: An Introduction to Ethnography.
In 2014, a research project conducted in rural West Bengal discovered that folk painters had started using themes like globalization, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, etc. within their traditional art of Patachitra (cloth-based scroll painting). In the same year, but thousands of miles away in Oregon, a research project at Intel was trying to find out how people relate to the technology (stereo system, autopilot, etc.) built into their cars.
At first glance, these cases seem to be completely different from each other. However, both of them were based on the same research method known as ethnography. A complex and powerful tool within the social sciences, it has left its mark in distant and disparate corners of the world.
Presented in two parts, this online workshop will explore what is meant by ethnography, its scope and possibilities, and the various ways in which it has been employed in both India and abroad.
The first session (14 June 2020) will primarily offer an introduction to ethnography and its use in a vast variety of professional contexts.
The second session (21 June 2020), on the other hand, will offer practical tips and guidelines about conducting ethnography in the real world. Intended for both experts and laymen, the main goal of the workshop is to make ethnography more accessible, popular and relevant as a research method.
Session 1: 14th June 2020; 19:00-21:00 (Indian Standard Time)
Session 2: 21st June 2020; 19:00-21:00 (Indian Standard Time)
Learning Outcomes:
- Participants will become aware of the themes and theories that have shaped Ethnography both as a research method and an academic discipline in its own right.
- They’ll learn about the various methods and logistical strategies required for successfully conducting ethnography in their respective fields.
- Participants will become familiar with the myriad uses of ethnography for commercial, academic and non - profit ventures. They’ll be able to conceptualize and execute their own ethnographic projects.
Who can join the session:
These sessions are meant to be capacity building sessions for non-expert members of the heritage and culture enthusiast community to enable them to conduct their own research. So you do not have to be an expert to be a part of these sessions.
The sessions are open to anyone from anywhere in the world, who is interested in picking up basic skills in ethnography.
Session Fee: INR 1000/person total
Certificate: All participants will be issued a virtual Certificate of Completion after the session.
Tech Requirements:
These sessions will be conducted via Zoom. You need decent internet connectivity to participate. Please make sure to download Zoom on your smartphone or computer. You will receive a secured link and password for participating in the session 24 hours before the session
Session Leader: Sraman Sircar (Anthropologist and Oral Historian)
