Methods and Analysis for Anthropology (ANTH 411.01)

Part V: Course Journal

Winter 2002 

by Bruce Freeman

 Department of Anthropology, University of Calgary, Canda

Due: April 15, 2002 (last day of class)

Worth: 10% of final grade

Keeping a course journal allows you to reflect critically on your involvement in the learning process and to document this analysis in written form.  A classroom is a “social situation” (Spradely & McCurdy, 1972) in which people (students and instructors) interact.   Social interaction in this (as in any) setting is dynamic, shaped both by the (a) values, experiences, interests, and knowledge individuals bring to the setting and (b) the social relations occurring in that context.   As a student, you are both an individual observer and a participant in a social group.

Obtain a small (9x7 inch) Hilroy (or other type) exercise book.  After each class, reflect on the classroom as a social context.  Make a dated entry and comment briefly on what you learned (or did not learn) and explain why this was important to you.  Do not repeat the daily outline or summarize your class notes.  Instead, use the course journal to document your reflexive thoughts about the class.  What did you bring to the classroom in terms of your opinions, knowledge, and experience?  How did this impact both (a) your learning and (b) the class?

Course journals are graded according to the degree of sophistication of your reflections on the classes.  Demonstrate that you are thinking about (and through) the material.  Students who attend classes regularly will have an obvious advantage over those who do not.

Notes made in your course journal should be written on the day of the class in your own handwriting.  They should be thoughtful and legible as opposed to lengthy and neat.  Your course journal will be reviewed once during the term and will be graded at the end of term.  It will be returned to you with your graded final project.  The contents will not be duplicated or shared with anyone other than the course instructor.  


URLs for Methods and Analysis for Anthropology (ANTH 411.01)

Part I:  Syllabus (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_syllabus.htm)
 
Part II: Tentative Class and Reading Schedule (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_schedule.htm)
 
Part III: Test Study Questions (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_studyquestions.htm)
 
 Part IV: Individual and Group Assignments (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_assignments.htm)
 
Part V: Course Journal (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_coursejournal.htm)