After completing the readings on phenomenology, which I have
completed over two weeks, while I am not in love with the approach, I think it
is the most palpable of the alternatives… Or really, I am not sure what to
do. I am very political and don’t want
to set that aside. However, Valle and Halling (1989) state, “phenomenological
research emphasizes approaching the topic afresh without preconceived notions
about what one will find in the investigation (p. 47). Also, as I mentioned
last week, I am not keen on the practice
in phenomenology of avoiding subsequent questions, redirecting, or asking
spontaneous questions that might actually be good. I just want to collect
experiences to the extent that they support my agenda. Perhaps this is not permissible in a dissertation. The dissertation writing text arrived today, but I have not been able to look at it yet.
As for our group project, I am slowly reading the ethnography
and enjoying its undertones concerning power.
Dr. Davis, I am very glad you have not responded to my post yet. I would like to ask more directly...is it well done to to have a critical theoretical orientation but utilize phenomenology as a method? I have not definitely decided on a topic, but I have considered a qualitative dissertation on teacher workloads/stress/respect. I have also considered studying differences between lower middle class and upper middle class individuals in their perceptions of higher education and outcomes. Particularly, I am concerned with individuals from rural areas (as our world can sometimes be quiet small), and this in some way dovetails with another topic I have considered akin to the work I did in your other course. I feel like our teachers have no idea what the math will be used for. Therefore, they cannot teach students who want an explanation. Yet, according to the teacher I interviewed, many students are quite good at math because they are good rule followers and "do not need to know why they are doing something."
ReplyDeleteI was just going to respond to you with this exact information about a critical framework and phenomenology! We are thinking alike! You know, it isn't often done but it can be done. It is important to understand the philosophy behind phenomenology first. Have you received your Critical Ethnography book by Madison yet? If you have, go to the section on Phenomenology. She lays out historically how phenomenology helped lay the ground work for critical ethnography and discusses the work of Sartre, Levinas, and Merleau-Ponty. I was going to recommend Merleau-Ponty as a reading if you go this route but I think Sartre is good to. I forgot about him.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned that I didn't think you would spend the time in the field required of a critical ethnography but that you could always use it as a framework. If you are drawn to phenomenology, there is nothing saying that you can't use it with a critical lens/theoretical orientation. Search around for some studies or a dissertation written this way. I found this one: http://search.proquest.com/docview/305499739
I have not read it but, depending on if it is done well or not, it might be a start to begin thinking about how a formal study could be organized in this way.
I hope this helps. If you have to search a few readings and send them my way, I will be happy to look them over for you.
Amelia