Beyond Self: Autoethnography and Post-Qualitative Research (ECM220)


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

See course description and exam/assesment information for this semester (2024-2025)
Facts

Course code

ECM220

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

5

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English

Content

This micromodule introduces students to autoethnography and post-qualitative research methodologies, emphasizing personal experience, reflexivity, and critical inquiry beyond traditional qualitative frameworks. Autoethnography invites researchers to systematically explore personal experiences and narratives to reflect broader social, political, and cultural contexts. Post-qualitative approaches challenge conventional qualitative research paradigms by challenging notions such as ‘data collection’ while emphasizing ethical complexity, relationality, and emergent understandings.

The micro-module will be a combination of online and on-campus activities. The learning activities will include lectures, micro-lectures, reading groups, and customized literature search training tailored for autoethnographic research. There will also be sessions on the art of asking autoethnographic questions and self-determined reflection exercises, offered digitally. The in-person component will consist of a writing retreat. The retreat includes writing workshops with discussions on the ethics of autoethnographic writing, providing participants with the opportunity to develop and refine their autoethnographic writing in a collaborative setting.

Learning outcome

Upon completion, students will:

Knowledge

  • Understand core concepts and practices in autoethnography and post-qualitative research methodologies substantively
  • Gain familiarity with contemporary theoretical debates surrounding qualitative research practices

Skills

  • Apply autoethnographic and reflexive writing practices
  • Engage creatively with post-qualitative methodological approaches

General competencies

  • Demonstrate critical self-awareness and reflective capacities in research contexts
  • Contribute to methodological discussions within qualitative research communities

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
One individual process report 1/1 Passed / Not Passed

One individual process report (1200-1500 words)Course assessment: Pass/Fail

Coursework requirements

One commentary, 75% Participation in online sessions, Participation in the writing retreat, Two separate reflections
  1. One commentary on a reading of their choice, presented either as a written text (500 words) or as an audio/video recording (2–3 minutes);
  2. 75% Participation in online sessions (synchronous or asynchronous)
  3. Participation in the writing retreat (min. 75% attendance)
  4. Submission of two separate reflections on two different peer commentaries, in either written form (300 words each) or as audio/video recordings (1–2 minutes each).

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Tanu Biswas

Method of work

Blended (Online and In-person/Hybrid)

Open for

Exchange programme ECIU University

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto