Design Ethnography
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| COMP4017 | Computer Science | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- COMP4017
- School
- Computer Science
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module introduces you to the theory and practice of design ethnography. You will cover a range of topics including: ethnography, conversation analysis, interaction analysis and ethnomethodology, and the relationship of ethnography to the design and development of IT systems.
You will spend around three hours each week in lectures and tutorials for this module.
Target Students
Available to Level 4 PGT students on the MSc Human Computer Interaction (U7PHMNCI) in the School of Computer Science. This module is not available to students not listed above without approval from the module convenor(s). This module is part of the Human-Computer Interaction theme in the School of Computer Science.
Classes
- One 2-hour workshop each week for 10 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
Assessment
- 100% Group Report: A group report synthesising findings of ethnographic studies conducted by each group member, presented as a research paper supported by individual study logs. Reassessment is 100% by an individual report based on the student’s study log, which addresses the core learning outcomes assessed by the group report.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The aim of this module is to develop students' theoretical and practical knowledge of design ethnography. It will provide students with a skill set that is essential to effective human-centred software development.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- Understanding of the analytic foundations of ethnography in a design context.
- Understanding of the role of ethnography in IT research and software development.
Intellectual Skills
- Ability to reason about and explicate the social character of human activities.
Professional Skills
- Ability to conduct fieldwork and provide ethnographic analyses.
- Understanding of design practices used to relate ethnographic analyses to systems development.
Transferable Skills
- Writing research reports
- Critical reflection
- Group work
Conveners
- Prof Andrew Crabtree