Course syllabus

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Mariya standing in front of Haniwa (an ancient Japanese clay figure) displayed at Oriental Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.

Welcome to "Japanese IV: Cultural Anthropology" at Dalarna University

Anthropology is the study of humankind, and its subfields (e.g., social/cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, physical anthropology, and archaeology) cover various aspects of what make us human. In this course, students get acquainted with various methods and theories used in this field, and get the opportunity to reflect over how these can be applied to the study of Japanese culture and society.


The seminar topics include the relationship between theory and method, defining researchable questions, research ethics, participant observation, sensory ethnography, writing fieldnotes, interview techniques (unstructured, semi-structured, structured), transcription, sampling, designing questionnaires, coding data, data analysis, research proposal evaluation criteria, peer review processes, interpersonal relations with fieldwork interlocutors, and other methodological topics such as oral histories, life histories, censuses, focus group interviews, and archival research. 

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of the course, students shall be able to:

  • display basic knowledge about various research methods used in anthropology
  • apply various anthropological methods in studies relating to Japan using Japanese (in such forms as the observation, the survey and the interview)
  • formulate a functioning research question and design a feasible research project to answer it
  • discuss the ethical implications of anthropological research
  • analyze quantitative data with computer-based tools
  • critically evaluate their own research and that of their peers.

Forms of Study

The course is taught in English and Japanese. Teaching takes the form of lectures, group discussions, and various online activities.

Course Syllabus

Course Literature

 
Seminar Schedule

Online seminar will be held on Mondays 10:00-11:30 in weeks 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 49, and *51.
*The seminar in week 51 (student presentations) may be longer depending on the number of students in class (possibly an afternoon session as well).

Zoom link

Available after you register (in Modules on the side-menu)

 

Registering for the Course

You register for the course via  www.student.ladok.se

The online registration for HT24 will be open from the 19th of August until the 1st of September 2024, and one cannot be registered after that.

Registration procedure:

http://www.du.se/en/study-at-du/international-students-applications-admissions-and-registration/registration-and-roll-call/ (en)

http://www.du.se/sv/Utbildning/ny-student/checklista2/  (sv)

Students with Disabilities

If you require support for your disability, please contact our study counselor in good time before you begin your studies so that you can receive the best possible services.

For further information:

http://www.du.se/sv/om-oss/organisation/studenthalsan/ (in Swedish)

http://www.du.se/en/services-and-offices-for-students/students-with-disabilities/ (in English)

Contact
For questions about the course, please contact Mariya AIDA NIENDORF: <mni@du.se>

Course summary:

Date Details Due