Office: Oppio 107

Contact: marlen.harrison at jyu.fi,  046 588 0325 (text and phone)

Classrooms: (see Korppi for schedule)

OVERVIEW

As qualitative research continues to earn professional acceptance in a variety of fields, this module will introduce research writers to the autoethnography genre, a critical response to a research question using one’s own experiences as data. We’ll examine the uses of autoethnography in fields such as sports sciences, natural sciences and humanities, and practice writing our own autoethnographies based on our personal research interests.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment will be based on attendance, active participation, and successful completion of assignments. Assessment is pass/fail.

Required Coursework: 

1. Individual Presentation - You will present your work-in-progress to a small group of fellow participants using a presentation aid (Power Point, poster, handout, etc). 10 minutes presentation, 5 min Q&A
2. Paper Proposal – approx 2-4 pages. NOTE: Due to my language abilities I will only be able to respond to papers submitted in English.
3. Reflective Letter - This is a short letter to your instructor that includes plans for expansion or development, and a review of your learning in this course.
4. Participation – Please be a part of the conversation: question-asking, idea-sharing, chatting are all encouraged! Lets make our time together a place of respect and  enjoyment.

Rationale for Coursework: In order for you to gain experience in autoethnographic reading, writing and communication, you will create your own autoethnography based on a topic of your choice (must be related to either your field or a current research project). Although the focus of this course is an introduction to autoethnography, your work will require you to apply your academic reading skills while also helping you practice your research/analytical writing. Your oral presentation will be your opportunity to practice communicating in English about auto-ethnography. Your instructor will provide more information about required coursework during the course.

OUTCOMES

By the end of the course you can

• craft an autoethnographic text
• present autoethnographic research clearly and persuasively to others
• more deeply consider the relationship between research and identity
• locate and retrieve information in your field from a variety of resources (e.g. libraries catalogues, databases, Internet) to help you build your auto-ethnographic research
• identify the purposes of autoethnographic texts, analysing and evaluating how writers structure and organise ideas to shape meaning for particular audiences and readers
• compare and summarise information from different texts and use it to form your own ideas, arguments and opinions
• use dictionaries and online tools critically for developing your vocabulary and field-specific vocabulary
• incorporate autoethnographic research projects into your own courses or research

SCHEDULE

  GETTING STARTED: CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL CONNECTION TO EITHER YOUR FIELD OR A SPECIFIC TOPIC WITHIN YOUR FIELD AND CONSIDER HOW YOUR OWN LIFE EXPERIENCES CAN SERVE AS DATA THAT DESCRIBES THIS FIELD/TOPIC.

BEFORE WE BEGIN…

T 8.11 Introductions, Review of Syllabus, Goal-setting, Planning

In class we will…

• review the schedule
• get to know each other
• define autoethnography
• look at examples of autoethnographies
• discuss the reading
• brainstorm ideas for our own autoethnographies
• start planning our projects

Homework:

• READING: Qualitative Analysis Methods; Autoethnography in Sport; Autoethnography and Therapy; Easier Said than Done: Writing an Autoethnography; A Critique of Current Practice: Ten Foundational Guidelines for Autoethnographers; ; CLICK ME to read Marlen’s dissertation blog and his thoughts about using autoethnography. Lots of good resources here.
  
• WRITING: Begin writing your autoethnographic proposal (2-4 pages) that includes:
  Research Question
  Purpose & Objectives
  Intended Audience
  Hypotheses/Assumptions
  (3) Critical Sources
  Methods of Data Collection
  Methods of Data Analysis
  

T 15.11  Discussions, Presentations, Reflections

In class we will…

• discuss the role of narratives in research: Learner’s Lives: A Narrative Analysis
• creating our work-in-progress
• present our work-in-progress to fellow participants
• plan additional steps needed for completion
• reflect on our learning in the course

Homework (by December 1, 2011):

• READING: If you haven’t yet identified at least 3 sources to cite in your work, please do so and read/incorporate them.
• CONSULTATION: If you would like face to face time with Marlen to discuss your work, he is available to you for in-person meetings from March-May, 2012. Send an email to make an appointment. Alternatively, skype/phone are also great options! skype: “marlenelliotharrison”
  
• WRITING: Complete a first draft of your 2-4 page autoethnographic proposal and email it to your instructor with your reflective letter. Make sure to include a list of references (at least 3) cited properly in a professional format.
• WRITING: After you complete your essay, write a reflective letter to your instructor discussing your experience in the course and email it to him with your draft. Please include a reflective paragraph that discusses how you might expand upon your present auto-ethnographic work. This should not be an essay, but rather an actual “letter” that addresses any or all of the following:
  * What were your expectations of a) your own performance and b) the course overall and a) how did you meet or not meet your own expectations and b) how did the course meet or not meet your expectations?
  * What was the most useful activity or assignment in terms of advancing your knowledge of auto-ethnorgraphy?  Why?
  * What would you have done differently taking the course a second time? What recommendations can you make to your instructor to improve this course for future students?
  * What was your greatest challenge in this course and how did you successfully or unsuccessfully  meet this challenge?
  * How will this course be useful to you in the future?
  Note: You are not limited to the above questions; feel free to write about anything you want your instructor to know.