WRA11101 Introduction to Fieldwork Method and Practice

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2024Year School/Graduate School Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering (Master's Course)

Lecture Code WRA11101 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name フィールドワークの技法

Subject Name
（Katakana）フィールドワークノギホウ

Subject Name in
English Introduction to Fieldwork Method and Practice

Instructor KAWASE MAKI

Instructor
(Katakana) カワセ　マキ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year, Second Semester, 4Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (4T) Inte

Lesson Style Seminar Lesson Style
(More Details) 　

Exercises • Discussions • Oral presentations • Outdoor activities • Group Work

Credits 1.0 Class Hours/Week 　 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 5 : Graduate Basic

Course Area（Area） 24 : Social Sciences

Course Area（Discipline） 05 : Sociology

Eligible Students Graduate Students; Adult Continuing Education Students; For Undergraduate Students, please contact Dr. Kawase to acquire permission for auditing before class registration.

Keywords Fieldwork, Observation, Interview, Ideation, Project-based Learning (PBL)

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)

Class Objectives
/Class Outline The objective of this class is to learn and practice fieldwork. Fieldwork is a research method which has been developed and used in anthropology and cultural anthropology. The method is currently used in other academic disciplines, including sociology, education, medicine, marketing and industrial design.
Sometimes, in the course of our “journey” to identify new challenges or create new solutions, we feel as if we are getting nowhere. This is called siloed thinking. We just keep turning our thoughts over and over, as if we are in a room without windows and can’t see which way is up. It can be quite difficult for us to notice when we are stuck in this way of thinking.
One way to break free from siloed thinking is to proactively stir things up by taking in information through our five senses--walking, seeing, and listening to “real worlds.” This class will provide you with the opportunity to practice opening up the doors of thought in order to make field work come to life.
Intensive Course: Two-concectuive days on Monday, 17 January 2022 and Tuesday, 18 January 2022, Venture Business Laboratory 2F seminar room

Class Schedule ■Unit 1: Class Introduction >What is Fieldwork?
■Unit 2: Tool for Fieldwork ① >Practice externalization - Casting off thoughts from your mind; Externalization in Action
■Unit 3: Tool for Fieldwork ② >Use imaginary glasses - Trying to see and listen to the things that you do not normally see and listen to; Imaginary glasses in Action
■Unit 4: Bracketing >Face your preconception – Thinking about your own take-it-for-granted
■Unit 5: Observation ① >Pre-observation Brain Storming; Observation in Action ①
■Unit 6: Observation ② >AEIOU Framework for Observation; Observation in Action ②
■Unit 7: Angles >Be attentive to something different
【Individual Assignment ①】 Research and make a written record for a garbage box or a vending machine.

■Unite 8: Information >Types of information; Extracting some aspects from a large amount of information
■Unit 9: Combination ① >Combine Ideas in Action ① (Scenario-based design method for ideation)
■Unit 10: Combination ② >Combine Ideas in Action② (“Shiritori” Japanese word chain game for ideation)
■Unit 11: Interview ① >Interview in Action ① (Improving a pen project)
■Unit 12: Interview ② >Interview in Action ② (Interview potential users)
■Unit 13: Values >Think about values; Values in Action
■Unit 14: Preparation for Presentation >Contents for presentation
■Unit 15: Presentation >Provide peer feedback
【Individual Assignment ②】 Write up your idea of a garbage box or a vending machine.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. References:
- Booth, W. C., G. G. Colomb, J. M. Williams, J. Bizup, and W. T. FitzGerald (2016). The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing), University of Chicago Press.
- Hammersley, M. and P. Atkinson (2007). Ethnography: Principle in Practice, Third Edition. Routledge.
- More references in English will be provided as requested.
- See the class syllabus in Japanese for references in Japanese.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. 　

(More Details) Handout materials, Audio materials, and Images (Video, PC, other projected images)

Learning techniques to be incorporated 　

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review In your everyday life, try to observe the things that you do not normally see. For example, take a different route when you go to school and keep a record of what you notice.

Requirements No specific prerequisites or conditions. The course consists heavily of interactions, including observation, interview practice, and discussions with classmates and as a group.

Grading Method Two Sets of Individual Assignment (40% of grade: Allotting 20 % of grade to each assignment), Group Assignment (40% of grade), Group Work Participation (10% of grade), and Peer Feedback (10% of grade)

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message Let’s pay attention to our new findings by:
• proactively stirring up our static way of thinking; and
• taking in information through our five senses by walking, seeing, and listening to “real worlds.”
Think about what active learning is and its meaning for you through your own reflection and discussion with classmates.

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2024Year	School/Graduate School	Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering (Master's Course)
Lecture Code	WRA11101	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	フィールドワークの技法
Subject Name （Katakana）	フィールドワークノギホウ
Subject Name in English	Introduction to Fieldwork Method and Practice
Instructor	KAWASE MAKI
Instructor (Katakana)	カワセ　マキ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, Second Semester, 4Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(4T) Inte
Lesson Style	Seminar	Lesson Style (More Details)
Exercises • Discussions • Oral presentations • Outdoor activities • Group Work
Credits	1.0	Class Hours/Week		Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	5 : Graduate Basic
Course Area（Area）	24 : Social Sciences
Course Area（Discipline）	05 : Sociology
Eligible Students	Graduate Students; Adult Continuing Education Students; For Undergraduate Students, please contact Dr. Kawase to acquire permission for auditing before class registration.
Keywords	Fieldwork, Observation, Interview, Ideation, Project-based Learning (PBL)
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Class Objectives /Class Outline	The objective of this class is to learn and practice fieldwork. Fieldwork is a research method which has been developed and used in anthropology and cultural anthropology. The method is currently used in other academic disciplines, including sociology, education, medicine, marketing and industrial design. Sometimes, in the course of our “journey” to identify new challenges or create new solutions, we feel as if we are getting nowhere. This is called siloed thinking. We just keep turning our thoughts over and over, as if we are in a room without windows and can’t see which way is up. It can be quite difficult for us to notice when we are stuck in this way of thinking. One way to break free from siloed thinking is to proactively stir things up by taking in information through our five senses--walking, seeing, and listening to “real worlds.” This class will provide you with the opportunity to practice opening up the doors of thought in order to make field work come to life. Intensive Course: Two-concectuive days on Monday, 17 January 2022 and Tuesday, 18 January 2022, Venture Business Laboratory 2F seminar room
Class Schedule	■Unit 1: Class Introduction >What is Fieldwork? ■Unit 2: Tool for Fieldwork ① >Practice externalization - Casting off thoughts from your mind; Externalization in Action ■Unit 3: Tool for Fieldwork ② >Use imaginary glasses - Trying to see and listen to the things that you do not normally see and listen to; Imaginary glasses in Action ■Unit 4: Bracketing >Face your preconception – Thinking about your own take-it-for-granted ■Unit 5: Observation ① >Pre-observation Brain Storming; Observation in Action ① ■Unit 6: Observation ② >AEIOU Framework for Observation; Observation in Action ② ■Unit 7: Angles >Be attentive to something different 【Individual Assignment ①】 Research and make a written record for a garbage box or a vending machine. ■Unite 8: Information >Types of information; Extracting some aspects from a large amount of information ■Unit 9: Combination ① >Combine Ideas in Action ① (Scenario-based design method for ideation) ■Unit 10: Combination ② >Combine Ideas in Action② (“Shiritori” Japanese word chain game for ideation) ■Unit 11: Interview ① >Interview in Action ① (Improving a pen project) ■Unit 12: Interview ② >Interview in Action ② (Interview potential users) ■Unit 13: Values >Think about values; Values in Action ■Unit 14: Preparation for Presentation >Contents for presentation ■Unit 15: Presentation >Provide peer feedback 【Individual Assignment ②】 Write up your idea of a garbage box or a vending machine.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	References: - Booth, W. C., G. G. Colomb, J. M. Williams, J. Bizup, and W. T. FitzGerald (2016). The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing), University of Chicago Press. - Hammersley, M. and P. Atkinson (2007). Ethnography: Principle in Practice, Third Edition. Routledge. - More references in English will be provided as requested. - See the class syllabus in Japanese for references in Japanese.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.
(More Details)	Handout materials, Audio materials, and Images (Video, PC, other projected images)
Learning techniques to be incorporated
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	In your everyday life, try to observe the things that you do not normally see. For example, take a different route when you go to school and keep a record of what you notice.
Requirements	No specific prerequisites or conditions. The course consists heavily of interactions, including observation, interview practice, and discussions with classmates and as a group.
Grading Method	Two Sets of Individual Assignment (40% of grade: Allotting 20 % of grade to each assignment), Group Assignment (40% of grade), Group Work Participation (10% of grade), and Peer Feedback (10% of grade)
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message	Let’s pay attention to our new findings by: • proactively stirring up our static way of thinking; and • taking in information through our five senses by walking, seeing, and listening to “real worlds.” Think about what active learning is and its meaning for you through your own reflection and discussion with classmates.
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Back to syllabus main page