Field work training in de vorm van leeronderzoeken

Samenvatting

The aim and function of the project by cultural anthropologists is to teach the student by direct contact with the subject through confrontation with the fieldwork situations, which gives the student a chance to apply theoretical insights and concepts of the area. The practical training courses can be either inside or outside Europe. The primary function of the course is: the confrontation of the student with the social phenomena by means of a research theme. He undergoes many new experiences, especially isolation. This fieldwork is a process whereby the phases of empathy and empiricism are difficult to distinguish. 25 years ago, A. Lesser suggested the necessity to formulate questions beforehand, prior to going into the field; otherwise uncontrollable results will not be acceptable for accumulating theory forming. In this project participants drafted a program scheme for the research. After they arrived at their particular study places, testing of the scheme or the actual field work was done. Even though all the participants worked alone and had to make their own decisions, mutual contact was insisted on by the leaders, to acquaint the students with the development of the different parts of the study research (generally done on weekends). The development and new plans were controlled by the leaders. The students learn to think independently. Such study researches are not only important for cultural anthropology graduates, who themselves do fieldwork, but also for anthropologists, who depend on the published results of others. D. Ridgway.