這門課採用「動手做」的方法來教授民族誌研究法。修課同學們除了需要製作自己的民族誌短片外，此課程也會著墨在許多能應用於視覺影像以及民族誌文本的議題，譬如研究倫理、協作研究法、訪談技術、謄寫，以及參與式觀察的藝術。
本課程希望超越一般用在電視紀錄片中的傳統新聞學方法，目標是學習更適合民族誌研究複雜需求的技術。特別來說，同學們將會學習「觀察」、「參與」與「反身」的製片風格。在學期結束前，修課學生將有能力依照自己的需求來混合並搭配這些不同的風格。
雖然這門課將會包含對於新製片者而言相當重要的製片技術，然而這並不是一堂技術課程。現代的影像科技與編輯軟體已經變得夠「智慧型」、也夠普遍，同學們不再需要龐雜的訓練來使用這些工具。本課程有關技術的面向將會聚焦在影像編輯的原則，因為通常在學校中很少教這些原則給學生，然而不管具體使用的工具是什麼，這些原則都相當重要。
我鼓勵同學們如果有的話，使用自己的配備。系上的媒體研究室也有專業等級的設備供同學們借來使用。這門課不需要任何先備的影像製作經驗。
This course is teaches students ethnographic research methods using a hands-on approach. In addition to making their own short ethnographic films, the course will address many issues which apply as much to written ethnographies as they do to visual ones, including: research ethics, collaborative research methods, interviewing technique, transcription, and the art of participant observation.
This course seeks to move beyond traditional journalistic approaches commonly used in TV documentaries in order to learn techniques better suited for the complex needs of ethnographic research. In particular, students will learn about “observational,” “participatory,” and “reflexive” styles of filmmaking. By the end of the course students should be able to mix and match these different styles according to their own needs.
Although this course will cover those technical aspects of filmmaking which are absolutely essential for new filmmakers to learn, it is not a technical course. Modern day video technology and editing software has become sophisticated and ubiquitous enough that most students no longer need extensive training to use these tools. The technical aspect of the course will focus instead the principles of video editing as these principles are rarely taught in school and remain useful regardless of the specific tools being used.
Students are encouraged to use their own equipment if they have any. There is also professional grade equipment available in the department’s own media lab should students wish to borrow it. No previous experience in video production is required for this class.