Ethnographic research: From doing to writing
| Title | Εθνογραφική έρευνα: Από την πράξη στη συγγραφή / Ethnographic research: From doing to writing |
| Code | ΕΒ2025 |
| Faculty | Fine Arts |
| School | Music Studies |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Winter/Spring |
| Common | No |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 600024570 |
Programme of Study: PPS Tmīmatos Mousikṓn Spoudṓn (2017-sīmera)
Registered students: 38
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musicology / Music Education | Elective Courses | 7 | 4 | 6 |
| Music Composition | Elective Courses | 7 | 4 | 6 |
| Academic Year | 2025 – 2026 |
| Class Period | Winter |
| Faculty Instructors |
|
| Weekly Hours | 4 |
| Total Hours | 52 |
| Class ID | 600281949
|
Class Schedule
| Building | Τμήμα Μουσικών Σπουδών (Θέρμη) |
| Floor | Ισόγειο |
| Hall | ΑΜΦΙΘΕΑΤΡΟ 9 (318) |
| Calendar | Παρασκευή 10:00 έως 13:00 |
Course Type 2021
Specialization / Direction
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600281949
- eLearning: https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=4472
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
- English (Instruction, Examination)
Prerequisites
Required Courses
- ΕΒ1001 Introduction to ethnomusicology
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester, students will have gained a theoretical and empirical understanding of:
1) methodological tools of ethnographic research such as participant observation, interviews, fieldnotes and audiovisual recordings
2) distinct modes of analysis and systematisation of ethnographic data
3) distinct approaches to ethnographic writing, such as description, narrative and reflexivity, among others
4) ethical issues in ethnographic research
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Adapt to new situations
- Make decisions
- Work autonomously
- Work in teams
- Work in an international context
- Work in an interdisciplinary team
- Generate new research ideas
- Design and manage projects
- Appreciate diversity and multiculturality
- Respect natural environment
- Demonstrate social, professional and ethical commitment and sensitivity to gender issues
- Be critical and self-critical
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
This module focuses on methods of ethnographic research and writing to enable an in-depth understanding and application of such methods to dissertation research projects and broader research initiatives. The module invites not only ethnomusicology-oriented students but also students from diverse fields, as long as they are interested in incorporating ethnographic methodologies into their research projects or, more generally, in broadening their knowledge around ethnography.
The module covers a wide range of methodological issues, starting from how to conduct ethnographic field research and concluding with how to write ethnographically (accompanied by audiovisual media), as well as how issues of ethnographic ethics concern all phases of research, from fieldwork preparation to the publication of ethnographic texts.
The module focuses on key methodological tools such as participant observation, fieldnotes, qualitative interviews, audiovisual recordings, as well as modes of analysis/interpretation, systematisation and synthesis of research data into the ethnographic text.
Weekly classes take the form of an intensive seminar, inviting student participation, as well as short lectures accompanied by audiovisual material. To participate actively in class, students are encouraged to study written and audiovisual material on a weekly basis, as well as to undertake a series of research and writing exercises.
Assessment for this module comprises weekly class participation, presentation of work on the research and writing exercises, as well as a written essay at the end of the semester.
Keywords
ethnographic research, music ethnography
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
- Podcast
- Audio
- Multimedia
- Interactive excersises
- Book
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Laboratory Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
- Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Description
Use of PowerPoint during lectures
Communication via email and E-learning platform
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 13 | 0.4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seminars | 26 | 0.9 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fieldwork | 20 | 0.7 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Reading Assigment | 70 | 2.3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Written assigments | 50 | 1.7 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Total | 179 | 6.0 |
Student Assessment
Description
1. Active participation in class, requiring weekly study and engagement with research and writing exercises (40%)
2. Written essay, to be submitted at the end of the semester (60%)
Student Assessment methods
- Report (Formative, Summative)
- Presentation of work on research and writing exercises
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
Γκέφου-Μαδιανού, Δήμητρα (2011) Πολιτισμός και Εθνογραφία: Από τον Εθνογραφικό Ρεαλισμό στην Πολιτισμική Κριτική.
Αθήνα: Εκδόσεις Πατάκη.
Ιωσηφίδης, Θεόδωρος (2017) Ποιοτικές Μέθοδοι Έρευνας και Επιστημολογία των Κοινωνικών Επιστημών. Αθήνα: Τζιόλας.
Additional bibliography for study
Γκέφου-Μαδιανού, Δήμητρα (επιμ.) (2011) Ανθρωπολογική Θεωρία και Εθνογραφία. Σύγχρονες Τάσεις. Αθήνα: Εκδόσεις Πατάκη.
Μπαλάντινα, Αλεξάνδρα (2025) Εθνογραφική Έρευνα στην Εθνομουσικολογία. Πανεπιστημιακές Εκδόσεις Κάλλιπος.
Παπαηλία, Πηνελόπη και Πετρίδης, Πέτρος (2015) Ψηφιακή Εθνογραφία (Digital Ethnography). Σύνδεσμος Ελληνικών Ακαδημαϊκών Βιβλιοθηκών, Αθήνα.
Atkinson, Paul et al (eds) (2001) Handbook of Ethnography. London: Sage.
Barz, Gregory and Cooley, Timothy (eds.) (2008) Shadows in the Field: New Perspectives for Fieldwork in Ethnomusicology. 2nd ed. OUP.
Burgess, Robert G. (1991) In the Field: An Introduction to Field Research. London: Routledge.
Clifford, James and Marcus, George E. (eds) (1986) Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Reily, Suzel Ana and Patsiaoura, Evanthia (2019) Ethnomusicology. Sage Research Methods Foundations.
Last Update
20-07-2025
