Listening to ‘unusual suspects’
During this course, which runs throughout the second semester, second-year students of the Bachelor’s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology (SSC) work on a practical assignment in collaboration with the Municipality of Almere.
In small groups, they explore a city district through ethnographic fieldwork: they observe daily life, talk to residents and analyse how people experience their environment, including (and especially!) voices that are often left out of the picture, such as the so-called ‘unusual suspects.’
Learning how to advise based on fieldwork
What do these residents say about their neighbourhood? How do they experience themes such as mobility, sustainability or social cohesion? And how well does local policy align with these perspectives, or not?
The students turn their findings into practical policy recommendations and a creative final product to clearly and accessibly present their insights to their client.
Lecturer: “Rapid growth in a short time”
The course combines theory with hands-on practice. Students don’t just study the literature, they go into the field themselves. They learn how to design a solid research project, collaborate with an external partner, and (perhaps most challenging) translate their findings into something genuinely useful for others.
Eva Koemar, lecturer in Organizations & Anthropology, sees her students develop quickly: “This is their first stakeholder research project. What stands out is how fast they grow. They learn not only how to conduct focused research, but also how to communicate effectively with an external partner and present their insights in a clear and practical way. The leap they make in such a short time, towards independence, professionalism and social engagement, is impressive to witness.”
Questions about this course? Email course coordinator Ellen Bal at ellen.bal@vu.nl.
