Accelerating complexity and diversity of city life has been a critical issue for many social and cultural
anthropologists since the early 20th century. Along with the rise of global connectedness, contemporary urban
research has to take into account the assemblage of dynamic flows of migration, transportation, thoughts, or
goods. Anthropologically speaking: our research should focus on the fact that urbanites have to deal with plenty of
awkward or even distant socio-material phenomena, that are affecting their local lives. Based on fieldwork trips
and excursions, students will be introduced to perspectives on urban environments, basics of research practice,
ethics and methodology for the anthropology of the city. Various urban niches in Prague such as multicultural
neighborhoods, segregated areas, urban non-places, urban jungles, infrastructures, etc., will be visited and
observed through the lens of ethnography.
Last update: Kučabová Veronika, Bc. (14.06.2024)
Accelerating complexity and diversity of city life has been a critical issue for many social and cultural
anthropologists since the early 20th century. Along with the rise of global connectedness, contemporary urban
research has to take into account the assemblage of dynamic flows of migration, transportation, thoughts, or
goods. Anthropologically speaking: our research should focus on the fact that urbanites have to deal with plenty of
awkward or even distant socio-material phenomena, that are affecting their local lives. Based on fieldwork trips
and excursions, students will be introduced to perspectives on urban environments, basics of research practice,
ethics and methodology for the anthropology of the city. Various urban niches in Prague such as multicultural
neighborhoods, segregated areas, urban non-places, urban jungles, infrastructures, etc., will be visited and
observed through the lens of ethnography.
Last update: Kučabová Veronika, Bc. (14.06.2024)
Aim of the course -
The major learning objectives of this course are as follows:
A) To provide students with a general overview of cultural anthropology including its perspectives, concepts, and methodological approaches.
B) Practice fo fieldwork research and participant observation in various urban environments
C) Demonstrate skill in evaluating, synthesizing, and integrating knowledge gained from scientific exploration
D) Conduct a short-term fieldwork research based on participant observation in public sphere.
E) Independently analyze the data they created within the fieldwork.
F) Realize that anthropological research could be both inspiring and fun
Last update: Kučabová Veronika, Bc. (14.06.2024)
The major learning objectives of this course are as follows:
A) To provide students with a general overview of cultural anthropology including its perspectives, concepts, and methodological approaches.
B) Practice fo fieldwork research and participant observation in various urban environments
C) Demonstrate skill in evaluating, synthesizing, and integrating knowledge gained from scientific exploration
D) Conduct a short-term fieldwork research based on participant observation in public sphere.
E) Independently analyze the data they created within the fieldwork.
F) Realize that anthropological research could be both inspiring and fun
Last update: Kučabová Veronika, Bc. (14.06.2024)
Course completion requirements -
Attendance:
Two absences maximum
Course grading (50 points maximum) consists of:
Exercises &Homework (60%)
Course combines fieldwork practice and in-class lectures and discussions. Students will conduct a various fieldwork &qulalitative analysis (5 in total, 6 points each)) exercises connected with the participant observation in urban spaces.
Paticipation (10%)
Class will meet once in two weeks. Students should contribute by asking questions, answering questions, or otherwise constructively contributing to class discussions. If they don't participate, they will not earn these points. (maximum 5 points)
Final essay (30%)
Reflexive essay referring both to lessons learned during the semester and outcomes of students feildwork research (maximum 15 points) Essays submission (via emial) due 25 January 2025)
* Grading
50-45 points = A
44-38 points = B
37-31 points = C
Last update: Lehečka Michal, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.02.2025)
Attendance:
Two absences maximum
Course grading (50 points maximum) consists of:
Exercises &Homework (60%)
Course combines fieldwork practice and in-class lectures and discussions. Students will conduct a various fieldwork &qulalitative analysis (5 in total, 6 poitns each)) exercises connected with the participant observation in urban spaces.
Paticipation (10%)
Class will meet once in two weeks. Students should contribute by asking questions, answering questions, or otherwise constructively contributing to class discussions. If they don't participate, they will not earn these points. (maximum 5 points)
Final essay (30%)
Reflexive essay referring both to lessons learned during the semester and outcomes of students feildwork research (maximum 15 points) Essays submission (via emial) due 25 January 2023)
Grading
50-44 points = A
44-38 points = B
37-31 points = C
Last update: Kučabová Veronika, Bc. (14.06.2024)
Teaching methods -
Methods:
Lectures, discussions, on-site fieldwork research practice, excursions, video-screenings
Moodle page link: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=14193 (please add a course)
Last update: Lehečka Michal, Mgr., Ph.D. (10.09.2024)
Methods:
Lectures, discussions, on-site fieldwork research practice, excursions, video-screenings
Moodle page link: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=14193 (please add a course)
Last update: Lehečka Michal, Mgr., Ph.D. (16.09.2024)
Syllabus -
Fall 2024/2025 semester research topic: Production of space, in/formal city & urban decay
Course is divided into three modules:
Module 1 - Urban ethnography overview and perspectives
1. 10. 2024
Course introduction, Syllabus details. Qualitative research methods overview. What is Urban Anthropology's position within S & C Anthropology.
15. 10. 2024
Ethnographic fieldwork research methods, reflexivity and ethics (making fieldontes, participant observation, informal interviews etc.).
Reading: Bourgois, P. I. (2003). In search of respect: Selling crack in El Barrio. Cambridge University Press, pp. 19-47.
Module 2 - Fieldwork practice
29. 10. 2024
On-site fieldwork research practice I. - urban space mapping, making fieldnotes (venues to be added)
Pérez Fernández, F. (2023): The Archaeology of Decay: Ruinous Knowledge and the Violence of Urban Planning. American Anthropologist 125, pp. 505-518 (available at: https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aman.13854; Wiley online)
12. 11. 2024
On- site filedwork research and excursion II.
Reading: Holston, J. (1989). The modernist city: An anthropological critique of Brasilia. University of Chicago Press, pp. 101-143. Chapter: Death of the street
26. 11. 2004
On-site fieldwork research practice III.
Reading: Low, S. & Smith N. (2006). Introduction: The Imperative of Public Space. Pp. 1-17 in S. Low & N. Smith (eds). The Politics of Public Space, NY: Routledge
Module 3 - analyzing the data
10. 12. 2024
Analyzing the data created in the field (segmentation, coding, interpretation)
7. 1. 2025
Course wrap-up: discussion of outcomes and sharing experience and knowledge gained
Last update: Lehečka Michal, Mgr., Ph.D. (17.09.2024)
Fall 2024/2025 semester research topic: Production of space and in/formal city and Urban decay
Course is divided into three modules:
Module 1 - Urban ethnography overview and perspectives
1. 10. 2024
Course introduction, Syllabus details. Qualitative research methods overview. What is Urban Anthropology's position within S & C Anthropology.
15. 10. 2024
Ethnographic fieldwork research methods, reflexivity and ethics (making fieldontes, participant observation, informal interviews etc.).
Reading: Bourgois, P. I. (2003). In search of respect: Selling crack in El Barrio. Cambridge University Press, pp. 19-47.
Module 2 - Fieldwork practice
29. 10. 2024
On-site fieldwork research practice I. - urban space mapping, making fieldnotes (venues to be added)
Pérez Fernández, F. (2023): The Archaeology of Decay: Ruinous Knowledge and the Violence of Urban Planning. American Anthropologist 125, pp. 505-518 (available at: https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aman.13854; Wiley online)
12. 11. 2024
On- site filedwork research and excursion II.
Reading: Holston, J. (1989). The modernist city: An anthropological critique of Brasilia. University of Chicago Press, pp. 101-143. Chapter: Death of the street
26. 11. 2004
On-site fieldwork research practice III.
Reading: Low, S. & Smith N. (2006). Introduction: The Imperative of Public Space. Pp. 1-17 in S. Low & N. Smith (eds). The Politics of Public Space, NY: Routledge
Module 3 - analyzing the data
10. 12. 2024
Analyzing the data created in the field (segmentation, coding, interpretation)
7. 1. 2025
Course wrap-up: discussion of outcomes and sharing experience and knowledge gained
Last update: Lehečka Michal, Mgr., Ph.D. (16.09.2024)
Learning resources -
Obligatory:
Hammersley, Martyn Atkinson, Paul. Ethnography : principles in practice. Milton Park, Abingdon: Routledge, 2007, 275 s. ISBN 978-0-415-39605-9.
Recommended:
Bryman, Alan. Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, 592 s. ISBN 0-19-926446-5.
LeCompte, Margaret Diane Schensul, Jean J.. Designing and conducting ethnographic research. Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press, 1999, 220 s. ISBN 0-7619-8975-7.
Last update: Kučabová Veronika, Bc. (14.06.2024)
Obligatory:
Hammersley, Martyn Atkinson, Paul. Ethnography : principles in practice. Milton Park, Abingdon: Routledge, 2007, 275 s. ISBN 978-0-415-39605-9.
Recommended:
Bryman, Alan. Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, 592 s. ISBN 0-19-926446-5.
LeCompte, Margaret Diane Schensul, Jean J.. Designing and conducting ethnographic research. Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press, 1999, 220 s. ISBN 0-7619-8975-7.
