Undergraduate Certificate in Ethnography

In our globalized world, cross-cultural understanding has become increasingly important – making ethnographic skills useful for undergraduate students interested in industry and government as well as those planning to pursue academic careers. Ethnographic proficiency promotes critical thinking by requiring students to critically analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative information and data from a variety of sources. During a time of newly intensifying misinformation, this has become an essential skill. Ethnography often involves fieldwork and interacting with people in their communities, providing students with valuable real-world experience that can be applied in many different settings. 

The Yale College Certificate in Ethnography promotes empirical, qualitative literacy that presents ethnography at two levels: 

1.  as a set of qualitative research methods employed in the humanities and social sciences, and
2.  a mode of presenting that research—in books and articles, in film and video, in embodied performance, and, increasingly, in digital formats and multiple media. 

As a set of qualitative research methods, ethnography provides students with an opportunity to develop research skills such as designing a research project, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results. As a mode of presenting research, the interdisciplinary nature of ethnography means that it draws on knowledge and toolkits from many different areas of study. This can be especially valuable for undergraduates who are still exploring different fields and majors.

A Certificate in Ethnography will be awarded upon successful completion of six courses and written reflections on two public events involving the presentation of ethnographic work:

The Yale College Certificate in Ethnography promotes empirical, qualitative literacy that presents ethnography at two levels: 

(1) as a set of qualitative research methods employed in the humanities and social sciences, and 

(2) a mode of presenting that research—in books and articles, in film and video, in embodied performance, and, increasingly, in digital formats and multiple media. 

As a set of qualitative research methods, ethnography provides students with an opportunity to develop research skills such as designing a research project, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results. As a mode of presenting research, the interdisciplinary nature of ethnography means that it draws on knowledge and toolkits from many different areas of study. This can be especially valuable for undergraduates who are still exploring different fields and majors.

A Certificate in Ethnography will be awarded upon successful completion of six courses and written reflections on two public events involving the presentation of ethnographic work:

• No more than two courses may overlap with requirements for the student’s major
• At least four of the six courses must be at the 300-level or above
• At least two of the six courses, including at least one at the 300-level or above, must include substantial methods training and/or a practical ethnographic component
• Students must attend two public talks or other events that feature ethnography and submit to the Certificate Director one-page critical reflections on these talks.
• Graduate and professional school courses may count toward the certificate
• Non-Yale courses may not count toward the Certificate
• The minimum grade for a course must be a C
• Credit/D/Fail courses cannot be counted.
• The Ethnography Certificate advisory committee must approve any exceptions to the certificate and the inclusion of any new courses.

The six courses must be taken from among the offerings listed under Course Offerings, all of which are at least 50% dedicated to discussion, analysis, and critical reflection on the practice of ethnography and/or engagement with ethnographic texts—understood broadly to include written, visual, performed, and/or other genres.

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