Module Code - Title:
MD6021
-
INTRODUCTION TO FIELDWORK TECHNIQUES
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Introduces students to basic elements of fieldwork including its ethical principles, participant observation, and interview techniques.
Syllabus:
In this module students are prepared to undertake basic fieldwork for documentation of performance practices. Topics addressed include ethical principles for working with human subjects in natural settings, the techniques of participant observation, and, interview techniques. Key issues in epistemology and methodology for such research will be raised and discussed.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Describe and explain the techniques employed in fieldwork.
Design a fieldwork project.
Apply fieldwork techniques in a way appropriate to particular research questions and settings.
Identify, recognize and interpret ethical issues in fieldwork.
Apply ethical principles in the practice of fieldwork
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Value the native and self-understandings of consultants.
Embrace the values underlying good practice fieldwork.
Act in accordance with those values.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Design and skillfully perform the tasks required by fieldwork technologies and documentation techniques.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminar discussion and exercises. These include an event documentation and an interview. Students prepare a field site visit report, based on observant participation in an event using fieldnoting techniques. Students conduct and transcribe a short interview. Discussion of these experiences in terms of readings that theorize fieldwork will follow the exercises.
Prime Texts:
Jackson, Bruce ()
Fieldwork
, Indiana
Theresa Buckland ed. (1999)
Dance in the Field: Theory, Methods and issues in Dance Ethnography
, MacMillan
Cooley, Timothy and Gregory Barz eds. (2008)
Shadows in the Field, 2nd edition
, Oxford
Emmerson, Robert M.m Rachel Fretz, and inda Shaw, eds. (2011)
Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes, 2nd edition
, Chicago
Other Relevant Texts:
Denzin, Norman K. and Yvonna Lincoln (2011)
The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research
, Sage
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASTER OF ARTS IN COMPOSITION AND CREATIVE MUSIC PRACTICE
MASTER OF ARTS IN DANCE PERFORMANCE
MASTER OF ARTS IN DANCE STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN DANCE STUDIES - BY DISTANCE
MASTER OF ARTS IN ETHNOCHOREOLOGY
MASTER OF ARTS IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
MASTER OF ARTS IN FESTIVE ARTS
MASTER OF ARTS IN IRISH DANCE STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN IRISH MUSIC STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE
MASTER OF ARTS IN RITUAL CHANT AND SONG
MASTER OF ARTS IN SONGWRITING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
orfhlaith.nibhriain@ul.ie