Sylabus
Fall 2023 semester research topic: Production of space and in/formal city
Course is divided into three modules:
Module 1 - Urban ethnography overview and perspectives 10. 10. 2023
Course introduction, Syllabus details. Qualitative research methods overview. What is Urban Anthropology's position within S & C Anthropology. 24. 10. 2023
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 7. 11. 2022
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) 21. 11. 2022
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 5. 12. 20022
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 19. 12. 2022
Analyzing the data created in the field (segmentation, coding, interpretation) 2. 1. 2022
Course wrap-up: discussion of outcomes and sharing experience and knowledge gained
Anotace
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.