Computing for Anthropology
Code
711001056
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Antropologia
Credits
6
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Computing for Social Anthropologists aims that students will get hands-on experience using most techniques covered in class, taking place in the computer Lab. The main course goal is then the training in a few important software packages for ethnographic data collection, analysis and dissemination of both quantitative and qualitative data, developing computer-based skills.
The student will be able to:
1) devise computer based methods for analysing textual and visual data;
2) design and implement a well documented , maintainable spreadsheet suitable for users other than the author;
3) construct and implement a basic database, as well as access the information stored;
4) develop familiarity with potential uses of spatial representation software (GIS) in anthropological research;
5) make effective use of on-line resources and evaluate the quality of web information;
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
I- Introduction to the optional course and ropes for the training sessions at the Computer Lab. Computing in Anthropology - overview of potencial uses in different research settings and stages.
II- Text editing with WORD - formatting and organization of textual materials (jottings, fieldnotes, diary entrances, texts for scientiphic journals...). Interview transcription and coding
III- Organization of structured data with EXCEL. Design and sustainable maintenance of a spreadsheet. Construction of a flat database. Advanced queries.
IV- Applications for archiving and manipulating visual materials. Intertwining of text and image. How to prepare audio and visual materials to give a presentation with POWER POINT.
V- On the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in social anthropologybrief review of illustrative case-studies.
VI- Anthropological research on the World Wide Web. Search resources and review of relevant sites for anthropologists. Networking on the web (blog, twitter
).
Bibliography
Bagg, Janet (1992) «Introduction to Database Systems for Anthropologists» in Bulletin of Information on Computing and Anthropology, 1- 8: 2-9.
Brennan-Horley, Chris; Luckman, Susan; Gibson , Chris & Willoughby-Smith, Julie (2010) GIS, Ethnography, and Cultural Research: Putting Maps
Back into Ethnographic Mapping in The Information Society, V26 (2):92-103.
Fielding, Nigel e Lee, Raymond (Ed) (1991) Using Computers in Qualitative Research, Londres: Sage.
Fischer, Michael (1994) Applications in Computing for Social Anthropologists, Londres: Routledge.
Fielding, N. and R. Lee 2006. Online Research. Sage, London.
Madrigal, Lorena (1998) Statistics for Anthropology, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Teaching method
Teaching methodologies:
The approach in this course will be hands-on right from the start. Students will have opportunities to learn by doing in all aspects of the course.
(1) Lectures introducing the student to the topics delivered;
(2) Computer Lab training sessions;
(3) Mentoring undergraduates in writing the final paper project.
Evaluation method
Continuous evaluation:
50% - Port folio containing all exercises developped during Lab sessions, being assessed both content and editing format of the materilas archived, since they should reveal advanced skills on the use of the applications learned in class;
40% - Elaboration of a short paper project making use of the applications learned (thematic free choice);
10% - Give an oral presentation based on the project elaborated and ilustrated with Power Point funcionalities (10-15 slides).