2020 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Social and Human Sciences Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
Graduate Methodologies in Politics, Law and Administration F1
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Midori Egawa
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Fri (Zoom)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- SHS.P462
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 3-4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Fieldwork is a methodology that above all values the "site". By going into the region or group (site) which forms the research subject, unraveling phenomena occurring on-site, and giving them a logical interpretation, students are lead to the discovery and solution of problems facing the site. This is a powerful tool for unraveling modern society, with its intense changes that don't always fit in existing theories.
Students are expected to learn basic knowledge and techniques of fieldwork.
Course description and aims
1) Be able to explain the basic features and techniques of fieldwork.
2) Be able to write objective field notes.
Keywords
fieldwork
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
After learning basic knowledge, students will learn how to write field notes through practice. Students will also learn process of fieldwork through literature.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Orientation and introduction of fieldwork | Understanding the contents of the class and the basics of fieldwork |
| Class 2 | Understanding the basics of fieldwork | Understanding the basics of fieldwork |
| Class 3 | practice writing fieldnotes | Acquire the writing method of fieldnotes. |
| Class 4 | practice writing fieldnotes | Acquire the writing method of fieldnotes. |
| Class 5 | practice writing fieldnotes | Acquire the writing method of fieldnotes. |
| Class 6 | Understanding basic knowledge of analysis | Understanding how to analyze fieldnotes. |
| Class 7 | Mid review. | Mid review. |
| Class 8 | Process of fieldwork1 | Learn how to select appropriate field |
| Class 9 | Process of fieldwork2 | Learn research ethics of fieldwork |
| Class 10 | Process of fieldwork3 | Think about concept |
| Class 11 | Process of fieldwork4 | Learn from ethnography |
| Class 12 | Process of fieldwork5 | Learn how to make analysis |
| Class 13 | Process of fieldwork6 | Learn how to make presentation |
| Class 14 | Overall review | Look back at the whole |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks or other course material.
Textbook(s)
Hiroshi Oda, Doing ethnography, Shunjyu-sha(2010)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Kazuyoshi Sugawara, Challenge to fieldwork ,Sekai-shisosha(2013)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Course scores are based on report(70%) and attendance / exercises (30%)
Related courses
- SHS.P441 ： Graduate Lecture in Politics, Law and Administration S1A
- SHS.P442 ： Graduate Lecture in Politics, Law and Administration S1B
- SHS.P443 ： Graduate Lecture in Politics, Law and Administration F1A
- SHS.P444 ： Graduate Lecture in Politics, Law and Administration F1B
- SHS.P461 ： Graduate Methodologies in Politics, Law and Administration S1
- SHS.P681 ： Graduate Project in Politics, Law and Administration S3
- SHS.P682 ： Graduate Project in Politics, Law and Administration F3
Prerequisites
None required