Can you TANGO? A true ethnographic experience workshop
Summary:
An experiential workshop which aims at providing an intrinsic understanding of ethnographic observation and interviewing principles. We will use the art of TANGO dancing to draw a parallel between its principles and those of ethnography both on a theoretical as well as practical level. Dare to take the ethnographic (dance) step into the world of TANGO.
Detailed description:
With the advent of ethnography as a standard tool in qualitative research, more and more researchers from various disciplines (design, psychology, sociology, business, etc.) are confronted with the use of this methodology but have never benefited from any academic or formal training in the area of ethnographic observation and interviewing techniques and are unsure about their approach.
The ethnographic relationship between the researcher and the research subject requires a unique attitude and mindset and also follows specific rules as well as needing to be successful within an extremely condensed time frame.
TANGO is famous for requiring a genuine and fully empathetic relationship between dancers that starts and ends when the music does. We will use the art of TANGO dancing (with the help of a group of advanced TANGO dancers) to draw a parallel between its principles and those of ethnography:
1. As a unique cultural object ideal for a rich participative ethnographic experience
2. As a practical example of the core of the ethnographic relationship
3. As theoretical framework to ethnographic research: The 9 principles of TANGO as a metaphor for a guideline of ethnography