1996 Reports, 1997 Reports,  1998 Reports

1999 Reports, 2000 Reports, 2001 Reports

Pictures from the 2000 Field Session

Pictures from the 1999 Field Session

Pictures from the 1998 Field Session

Objectives: While learning how to do applied ethnographic fieldwork and carry out their local, ethnographic research projects, students live with Costa Rican families during their six-week stay. Participants learn to apply skills associated by carrying out the anthropological fieldwork necessary to complete their projects.

Costa Rica: Costa Rica is a good site both for learning ethnography as well as for studying the effects of tourism on the culture and environment . Though small it is the world's leader in eco-tourism, but success has brought some problems: changes in community values, social and economic relationships, water quality problems, coastal wetland destruction, pollution, destruction of scenic vistas, and increased crime. In this sixth summer of research we will continue to investigate the impacts of tourism development on the Pacific Ocean side of the country. Is long term sustainable tourism in this area truly feasible? Using anthropological theory and ethnographic methods and students study how and why Costa Rican is changing as it moves into the next millennium.

 Click here to see bibliographic references concerning Tourism and Ethnographic Methods.

The Research Site: Quepos (pop. 16,000) is a friendly, coastal town near the beautiful ecotourism destination of Manuel Antonio National Park with its tropical rainforest fauna, three species of monkeys, birds such as toucans and macaws, other wildlife and spectacular beaches.

Course Credits: Each student receives six course credits upon successful completion of the following two courses that form the basis of instruction during the field school. Graduate students enroll in ANT 591, Independent Graduate Study in Anthropology, but will follow the outlines for ANT 419 and ANT 532

ANT 419 Ethnographic Field Methods:This is a three credit field methods course emphasizing practical training in ethnographic fieldwork and ethics. Applied research methods such as rapid appraisal will also be demonstrated. Students learn research design, systematic observation, interviewing, fieldnote-taking, coding. ethics and how to use laptop computers in ethnographic research, data analysis and report writing.

ANT 431 Anthropology of Tourism: Applied Field Methods. This is a three credit field course focusing on tourism and the role of culture as it affects the interactions between hosts and guests. Students learn through seminar discussions and field work the problems underlying the achievement of sustainable tourism and maintenance of native cultural traditions.

Note: English is the language of instruction.

For Whom Intended: The program is designed for 12-13 students who may be undergraduate or graduate students who are anthropology majors or minors or from related fields. interested in learning ethnographic field methods. Prerequisites are two courses in anthropology, one of which must be in Cultural Anthropology. No previous experience in ethnographic fieldwork required. Priority will be given to students who have had at least two semesters of Spanish, but the lack of Spanish will not disqualify anyone.

Housing In Quepos: each student lives with a Costa Rican family receiving room, board and laundry services. Most of the families have worked with our students for over three years and also help them learn Spanish and establish networks in the community. The Assistant Director is Eileen Mueller, third from the right.

Excursions: The program includes brief excursions to other locales, such as beautiful and exotic cloud rainforest of Monteverde, Arenal Volcano and Tabacon hot springs. and the Central Valley cities of San José, Cartago and Heredia. These visits help students become familiar with other parts of the country, the tourism infrastructure and enhances student research projects.

Program Leader: Dr. James M. Tim Wallace is the Program Director. He is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at North Carolina State University. He has ethnographic field work experience in South America, Eastern Europe, Japan, West and East Africa, in addition to Costa Rica and the US. Mr. Matthew J. Edwards, M.A. in Applied Anthropology at the University of Memphis, and a former program participant was the Assistant Director from 1998-2000.  In 2001, the Assistant Director was Daniela Diamente, a graduate of Butler University. The Assistant Director from 1996-1997 was Eileen Mueller (University of Georgia), currently doing her Ph.D. dissertation research in Baja California.

Final Banquet: Tim Wallace & Daniela Diamente, June 2001.

 

 

Documents: For U.S., U.K., and Canadian citizens, other than a valid passport, no special documents are necessary to enter and remain in Costa Rica for up to 90 days.

Information: For further information contact Tim Wallace at 919-781-8655 (h) or 919-515-9025 (o), or 919-815-6388. Fax no:919-515-2610; E-mail: tim_wallace@ncsu.edu. 

 

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