LABORATORY OF ETHNOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL RESEARCH

The course offers an in-depth preparation for qualitative research and social ethnography with the aim of providing the cognitive and analytical tools to read, critically analyze, design, carry out, evaluate and commission qualitative research and social ethnography, in particular, in the area policies and social work.

At the end of the course the students:
- Have knowledge of the paradigms of qualitative research and social ethnography, with their variety of objectives, tools and limitations
- They have knowledge of the main qualitative and ethnographic research methods, of the underlying assumptions, of their application in concrete cases and of their usefulness in the field of social policies and services
- They know how to orient themselves among the possible qualitative research tools in concrete cases in the area of social policies and services
- They know how to read a qualitative and ethnographic research report from a methodological point of view
- They know how to develop a qualitative and ethnographic research project
- They know how to conduct qualitative and ethnographic research
- They know how to evaluate a qualitative and ethnographic research project
- They know how to welcome a qualitative research and a qualitative and ethnographic research report

No prior knowledge is required.

The course is divided into 3 thematic blocks:
1. General introduction to research paradigms
2. Fundamentals and techniques of qualitative and ethnographic research.
3. The implementation of qualitative research and social ethnography

In each block, the discussion of the main reference concepts is accompanied by the analysis of concrete cases (research problems, existing research).

The third block includes the drafting of a project, an empirical experience in the field and an experience of data analysis and drafting of a thesis / draft of a research report.

1a. Both the following book:
- Cardano, M. (2011). "La ricerca qualitativa". Il Mulino.
- La Mendola, S. (2009). "Centrato e aperto. Dare vita a interviste dialogiche". Utet.

2a. A book chosen among:
- Augustoni, A. e Veraldi, R. (2012) "Esplorare i mondi quotidiani". Carocci.
- Capello, C. Cingolani, P. e Vietti, F. (2023) "Etnografia delle migrazioni". Carocci.
- Semi, G. (2010). "L'osservazione partecipante. Una guida pratica". Il Mulino.

3a. A book chosen among:
- Armano, E. (2020) "Pratiche di inchiesta e conricerca oggi". Ombre Corte.
- De Cataldo, A. e Russo, C. (2022) "Metodologia e tecniche partecipative. La ricerca sociologica nel tempo della complessità". Pearson.
- Frisina, A. (2010). "Focus group. Una guida pratica". Il Mulino.
- Frisina, A. (2013). "Ricerca visuale e trasformazioni socio-culturali". Utet.

4a. A book to be chosen among:
- Mariani, E. (2025). "Abitare sospeso". Torino: Rosenberg & Sellier.
- Segalla, S. (2024). "In montagna". Torino: Rosenberg & Sellier.

5a. Both the following book:
Della Puppa, F., Lise, A., Matteuzzi, F., Saresin, F. e Storato, G. (2024). "I Disconosciuti". Becco Giallo.
Della Puppa, F. Matteuzzi, F. e Saresin, F. (2020). "La linea dell'orizzonte". Becco Giallo.

The exam consists of open questions relative to the themes of the lectures to the texts. During the exam it is not possible to look up texts, notes and other materials.
The exam is the same for attending and non-attending students.
The assessment concerns:
- the understanding of the main concepts addressed during the course;
- clarity;
- ability to critically analyse methodological strategies
- ability to propose research strategies applied to a concrete case

To access the oral exam, students must prepare, by the end of the course:
- a short qualitative / ethnographic research project, negotiated with the teacher (1 page)
- a paper for restitution of a piece of qualitative / ethnographic research developed on the basis of the research project (about 10 pages)
The teacher will be available to follow the drafting of the research project, the collection and analysis of the data.

FURTHERMORE, students must present in the classroom, ONE of the following paper (mentioned above): the qualitative / ethnographic research project OR the essay of restitution of the qualitative / ethnographic research developed.

Regarding the grading scale for the oral exam:

A. Scores in the range of 18-22 will be assigned for:
- Sufficient knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Limited ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Sufficient communication skills.

B. Scores in the range of 23-26 will be assigned for:
- Fair knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Fair ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fair communication skills.

C. Scores in the range of 27-30 will be assigned for:
- Good or excellent knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Good or excellent ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fully appropriate communication skills.

D. The “laude” will be awarded to students with excellent knowledge and comprehension of the textbooks and related topics and, especially, fully developed critical thinking.

oral

During the oral exam, the correctness of the contents will be evaluated with a maximum of 10 points, the sociological vocabulary with a maximum of 10 points, the correctness and originality of the reflections and interpretations with a maximum of 10 points.

The course consists of lectures and seminars in which the main concepts and concrete cases will be introduced, also by means of guest teachers and, eventually, the use of visual documents (ppt presentation, videos, pictures).
During the course the students will be given short home assignments that will be discussed during class, among which the preparation of a brief research project, the preparation of a thesis with the results of the research, the preparation of a thesis of critical analysis of an ethnographic reading.
The assignments are mandatory and, along with the active participation at seminars, lecturers, and classes, will be taken into consideration in the final evaluation.

For any clarification, do not hesitate to contact the professor: francesco.dellapuppa@unive.it

Ca ’Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for the support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities and special needs or specific learning disabilities and special needs. If you have a mobility, visual, hearing or other disability and special needs (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder or special needs (Law 170/2010) and you require support (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out exams or exams individualized, accessible format material, note retrieval, specialist tutoring to support the study, interpreters or other) contact the Disability and DSA office disabilita@unive.it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development