EIGHT WEEK COURSE
ADVANCED ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS
APPLICATION + TUITION DEADLINE MAY 3 2023
JUNE 3 - JULY 30 ON ISLA MUJERES
IXCHEL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AVAILABLE
$500 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTED TUITION IF PAID IN FULL BY APRIL 3
$5700 USD FOR DOUBLE ROOM LODGING
$6800 USD FOR SINGLE ROOM LODGING
The Advanced Ethnographic Method Session is an 8 week long intensive ethnographic training and independent research session.
Each student will participate in Spanish language Boot Camp and PADI Open Water Certification during their first week of Field School. During this first week they will also tour the island, attend 2 hour lecture sessions each day, and complete their research proposal, proposal research beginning well in advance of their arrival to the island.
During the course of the session, each student will participate in several excursions, like swimming with Whale Sharks, attend lectures on theory, methods, ethics and practice, conduct independent research, prepare a curriculum vitae, a *Journal* styled article of their research findings (and abstract), prepare a *conference* styled condensed version of their journal article (and abstract) and participate in other professional skill building training, such as ethics in anthropological field research and representations.
Note: Family members and friends are not welcome to stay at Ma Elena Hotel - student lodging during the course. The Field School is an independent learning exercise and it is suggested visitors travel to the island after the student's academic course is fully complete.
IXCHEL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
FIVE INDIVIDUAL $1000 USD SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOLARSHIPS APPLICABLE AGAINST TUITION ONLY
AVAILABLE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE TO ADVANCED METHODS STUDENTS
The Ixchel Scholarships are available to Advanced Methods students (8 week program on Isla Mujeres) who have been accepted by December 15, 2022, and whose research proposal is completed by Feb 30, 2023 (faculty guidance will be given).
The scholarships are for $1,000 USD and will be awarded to the first 5 students of the Advanced Methods course that apply and are accepted by the December 15th deadline. Please email info@anthrofieldschool.com for details.
ADVANCED ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS
SUMMER COURSE OUTLINE
The Isla Mujeres Ethnographic Field School Advanced Methods Session is eight weeks long. The first week will consist of orientation, which will include daily introductory lectures, Spanish Language Boot Camp, PADI (open water scuba diving) certification, Local Expert Mentor assignment, independent research design, and general independent research development and focus. The next five weeks will be dedicated to lectures and independent field research and the core requirements of the Methods Practicum Session (see course outline for the Practicum). Students will present their research findings during the final week.
There are three key aspects to scholarly ethnography: Know -- Do -- Share
Know your methods and the various social and ethical subjects surrounding them.
Demonstrate that you know how to put these methods into practice for good data collection.
Communicate your findings to others (the peoples whom you conducted research with, your peers and your academic community) through ethnographic representation.
Combined with the knowledge gained from the methods course, this practicum will strive to help each student reach these three goals.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This introduction to the collection of qualitative data using ethnographic methods will involve a substantial exercise in participant observation and other ethnographic methodological techniques designed and carried out by each student during the session. This will be the basis for discussion in seminar of the conceptual, practical and ethical issues of fieldwork, and for brief written reports by which the course will be assessed.
The Advanced Methods Session will teach students how to prepare for and conduct ethnographic fieldwork. Preparation for field research includes learning about ethics in human subjects research, understanding emic vs. etic perspectives, establishing rapport, awareness of the politics of representation, and the importance of reflexivity in 'writing culture.'
We will discuss changing ideas about 'the field' in anthropological fieldwork, and new topics and sites for ethnographic research. We will also read and discuss excerpts from the fieldwork accounts of highly acclaimed anthropologists.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, students should:
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Be able to carry out research using participant observation as well as other ethnographic methodological techniques, such as open ended and directed interviewing.
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Be reflexive about the conduct of qualitative research, and be able to assess critically other pieces of research carried out in ethnographic research.
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Be aware of the main ethical and theoretical issues raised in their Ethnographic Research.
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Be able to demonstrate advanced proficiency in the various ethnographic techniques.
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Be able to link ethnographic methods to particular types of theoretical insight
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Be able to communicate knowledge gained about ethnographic methods and about the results of your ethnographic research project.
Assessment will be made into a portfolio of work produced from the students' practical projects, including samples of field notes, a reflexive assessment of their strengths and weaknesses, etc.
TUITION DEADLINES
The Tuition + Application Deadline for Advanced Methods Session One is May 3 2023.
A $500 discount is available for Early Bird Tuition paid in full by April 3 2023.
Each 8 week Methods Practicum Session is $6,800USD per student for Single Room Occupancy at and includes private lodging at Ma Elena Hotel as well as all field excursions.
Each 8 week Methods Practicum Session is $5,700USD per student for Double Room Occupancy at and includes shared (two students -- two double beds) lodging at Ma Elena Htoel, as well as all field excursions.
Please Contact us at Tuition@anthrofieldschool.com to arrange for payment options.
Tuition does not include your transportation (flights, taxis and ferry ride to the island).
Our basic housing for the Field School is at Maria Elena Hotel in Garrafón and is included in student tuition costs. Double occupancy rooms are available at a reduced rate as noted above if available.
TUITION DISCOUNT
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If you apply and are accepted to join the field school -- pay your tuition in full by April 3 for the Advanced Methods Session and receive a $500 Tuition Discount
HEALTH PROTOCOLS AND HOW TO PREPARE
Proof of COVID-19 full vaccination is required of all students. Students are required to follow local masking regulations and social distancing recommendations at all times.
Equipment
Each IFS student will be responsible for bringing the equipment they will need for the field school:.
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Field Research Bag (small backpack, soft shoulder briefcase or courier bag)
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Laptop
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Scratch Note Pads
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Camera -- Smartphone
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Audio Recording Device
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Local Cell Phone or Mexico Plan
Spending Money
Student’s lodging (food is not included) is covered in the cost of IFS Tuition, but you will want to venture out to enjoy all that Isla Mujeres offers -- there are a lot of great restaurants on the island. When not doing field research, attending lectures or writing up field notes, we suspect you might want to enjoy the stunning beaches and energetic nightlife here on the island.
We suggest that you plan on having about $1,500 USD or more in spending money in reserve for the 8 Week Advanced Methods Courses and $750 USD or more available for the 3 Week Practicum Courses.
You will trade your home-country currency in for pesos when you arrive, or withdraw as pesos from an ATM..
Note
Typical Dinner Out =~ $20 US
Typical Lunch Out =~ $7 US
Delicious Taco in The Colonias =~ .80 US
Cup of Coffee in Centro =~ $2 US
Golf Cart Rental for One Day =~ $75 US
Moto Rental for One Day =~ $30 US
Taxi to and from Airport =~ $100 US (expect $65 coming to Isla, $30 going back)
Ultramar Ferry from Cancun =~ $16 US Round Trip
Local Island Taxi =~ Roughly $2 to $7 US
Coca Cola from a Tienda =~ $1 US
Typical Beer =~ $3 US at a bar
Custom Made Pinata =~ $30 US
