Universität Wien

240512 VO Working with Narratives: Methodological and Theoretical Approaches (P2) (2023S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 24 - Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie

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Moodle

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Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

If possible, the course is to be conducted in presence. Due to the respective applicable distance regulations and other measures, adjustments may be made.

UPDATE 01.03.2023: First session starts 09.03.2023.
UPDATE 02.03.2023: Additional session on 15.06.2023, as the course on 01.03.2023 was cancelled.

  • Thursday 09.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 16.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 23.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 30.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 20.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 27.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 04.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 11.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 25.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 01.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
  • Thursday 15.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Narratives are central in the work of anthropologists. Anthropologists do not only encounter narratives but also elicit, study and (co-)create narratives, whether through ethnographic observation, by conducting interviews or through their analysis and writing of ethnographic accounts. The centrality of narratives in anthropological work asks for a closer methodological inquiry, as offered in this lecture series.

In this lecture series methodological considerations will include discussions of interdisciplinary approaches such as linguistic anthropology and oral history and will investigate different methodological frameworks (such as narrative interview or conversation analysis) as well as recent ethnographic interventions like memory-guided city walks and digital and visual narrative approaches. Moreover, we will critically discuss different theoretical approaches to narrative in anthropology and neighboring disciplines (i.e. phenomenological, evolutionary, historical and literary approaches).

The lecture consists of an input lecture on the core topics (supported by ethnographic and descriptive examples) and the discussion of compulsory readings. Compulsory literature will be uploaded on Moodle.

Assessment and permitted materials

Written exam at the end of the semester

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

For a positive evaluation 61 points or more of the 100 points need to be reached.
Grading scheme
91 - 100 points = 1 (sehr gut)
81 - 90 points = 2 (gut)
71 - 80 points = 3 (befriedigend)
61 - 70 points = 4 (genügend)
0 - 60 points = 5 (nicht genügend)

Examination topics

Content of the lecture series, including compulsory readings. Answers to questions need to display knowledge of the compulsory readings, i.e. revising the slides will not be enough.

Reading list

Full reading list and compulsory literature will be uploaded on Moodle at the first class.

Key texts
Çinar, Alev and Thomas Bender. 2007. “Introduction. The City: Experience, Imagination, and Place”, in Çinar, Alev and Thomas Bender (eds.) Urban Imaginaries: Locating the Modern City. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press: xi-xxvi.

De Fina, Anna & Alexandra Georgakopoulou. 2015. The handbook of narrative analysis. Malden, MA:
Wiley Blackwell.

Falconi, Elizabeth & Kathryn Graber. Eds. 2019. Storytelling as narrative practice: ethnographic approaches to the tales we tell. Leiden, Boston: Brill.

Götsch, Barbara. 2022. “Negotiating a project request: narrative and intersubjective understanding”, Narrative Culture. 9(1):46-71.

Götsch, Barbara & Monika Palmberger. 2022. “The nexus of anthropology and narrative: ethnographic encounters with storytelling practices”, Narrative Culture. 9(1).

Jackson, Michael. 2002. “Prevented successions”, In Jackson, Michael. 2002. The politics of storytelling. Violence, Transgression, and Intersubjectivity. Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press, University of Copenhagen: 191-226

Linde, Charlotte. 1993. “The Creation of Coherence in Life Stories: An Overview”, in Linde, Charlotte. Life stories: the creation of coherence. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press: 3-19.

Ochs, Elinor. 2004. “Narrative Lessons”, in Duranti, Alessandro (ed.) A Companion to Linguistic Anthropology. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

Palmberger, Monika. 2022. “Exploring Migrant Workers’ Hidden Histories through Memory-Guided City Walks: A Migrant Woman’s Narrative.” Narrative Culture. 9(1).

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 27.10.2023 11:08