2025 ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS FIELDWORK PRACTICUM
6 WEEK COURSE INCLUDING 3 WEEKS IN THE FIELD
3 WEEKS OF ONLINE RESEARCH PREPARATION
3 WEEKS FIELD WORK ON THE ISLAND OF ISLA MUJERES
2 WEEKS OF ONLINE RESEARCH FOLLOW UP
TWO SUMMER SESSIONS AVAILABLE
MAY 24 - JUNE 5 [REQUIRED RESEARCH PREPARATION ONLINE ONE HOUR DAILY M-F]
JUNE 6 - JUNE 27 [SESSION 1 FIELDWORK ON ISLA MUJERES]
JUNE 28 - JULY 20 [SESSION 2 FIELDWORK ON ISLA MUJERES]
JULY 21 - AUGUST 30 [OPTIONAL ONLINE TEAM MEETINGS TO PREPARE WRITING FOR PUBLICATION]
APPLICATION + TUITION DEADLINE APRIL 24
$250 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AVAILABLE IF PAID IN FULL BY MARCH 24
SINGLE ROOM TUITION: $4250USD
DISCOUNTED DOUBLE ROOM RATES AND AVAILABILITY TBA
LODGING LOCATION TBA
The Isla Mujeres Ethnographic Field School Practicum Sessions are 3 week long intensive ethnographic training modules designed for students who are seeking to learn some of the basic techniques used within ethnographic research. This course is ideal for students who can not dedicate eight weeks to the advanced course, but who still want to participate in meaningful research.
Students of the Practicum Session will participate in lectures while also conducting practical exercises with various ethnographic methods.
This course is will allow students to learn which types of methods might best fit their personal needs as well as project based objectives.
Each Practicum student will select one or more of the 8 week projects to collaborate on, working as an essential part of that research team. Said collaboration can begin well in advance of arrival if they wish, including research proposal development. Collaborative research can continue well in to the summer while journal articles are being prepared for publication submission, which if accepted offers students potential co-authorship.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Ethnographic Methods Practicum Session will teach students how to conduct ethnographic fieldwork as well as how to put that research into real action.
This course will be a more generalized focus on methods, cultural process, meaning, symbolism and cultural practice, as opposed to the more focused medical anthropology sessions that are offered at the same time. Students of both the generalized ethnographic methods practicum will be trained along side those with the medical anthropology focus, but will have different practical tasks to complete.
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”. Special attention will be focused on medical issues within populations, with a particular focus on connecting local non-Western ideologies with biomedical systems, understanding the differences between the two systems both in theory and practice on the local level, as well as in the application of prevention efforts.
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.
Most Practicum students will act as a *research associate* for an Advanced Methods student research project. The Practicum students can choose one or two projects to assist on, or they can simply practice their ethnographic skills in a more general guided way using the assignments we have already established.
COURSE GOALS
-
Learn key concepts through which anthropologists conduct fieldwork to compare similarities and differences in human societies.
-
Be able to carry out research by participant observation as well as other ethnographic methodological techniques, such as open ended and directed interviewing.
-
Understand the code of ethics that guides the profession and how human subjects are protected in ethnographic research.
-
Understand how to design and carry out an ethnographic research project and to analyze the results of the research.
-
Be able to communicate knowledge gained about ethnographic methods and about the results of your ethnographic research project.
-
Be able to put their research findings into action through culturally sensitive and specific community outreach.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, through in-class discussions ,interactions and student presentations, students will demonstrate:
-
Knowledge of the key concepts of ethnography both as a comparative method for collecting research data and as a scholarly product of anthropological fieldwork.
-
Knowledge of how ethics and human subjects protection apply to ethnographic research.
-
Ability to conduct ethnographic research using a variety of key methods (including recording field notes and other field data), and to analyze the results of that research.
-
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND NOTES
.
Attendance is absolutely essential. Come to class prepared to participate. Complete the assigned readings before class, engage in classroom discussions and group activities.
Bring all assigned readings to class on the day they are to be discussed
Field Note Development
Vignette Development
Practicum Exercises
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.
TUITION DEADLINES
The Tuition Deadline the 3 Week Practicum Sessions is April 24 2025
Each 3 week Methods Practicum Session is $4250USD per student for Single Room Occupancy at and includes class materials and private lodging.
Please contact us at admissions@anthrofieldschool.com to arrange for payment options.
Tuition does not include your transportation (flights, taxis and ferry ride to the island).
Basic housing for the field school is included in student tuition costs. Double occupancy rooms will be offered at a reduced if available.
EARLY BIRD TUITION DISCOUNT
.
If you apply and are accepted to join the field school -- pay your tuition in full by March 24 and receive a $250 Tuition Discount
PRACTICUM PROGRAM OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
PADI Open Water Dive Certification: $500USD
Guided Whale Shark Excursion: $150USD
Day trip excursions to various Yucatan Mayan Ruins and Cenotes: $80 - $800USD
HEALTH PROTOCOLS AND HOW TO PREPARE
Students are required to follow all local health recommendations, if applicable
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 =~ $14 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