Autoethnography Course Attracts Global Audience

Autoethnography is a field that merges the practices of life writing, particularly the use of personal experience (think autobiographies and memoirs), with the practices of ethnography— the study and representation of cultural life. 

“Although the term ‘autoethnography’ first appeared in the 1970s, it didn’t gain much formal attention until the 1990s,” Bradley professor and chairperson of the Department of Communication, Tony Adams, explained. “Autoethnography has since expanded and flourished in many academic contexts.”

With the field ever-growing, Adams is bringing the first formal program devoted solely to teaching autoethnographic skills to life in the form of an online, six-week certificate. It’s available to learners anywhere in the world, and students are already taking advantage of the unparalleled opportunity.

The course, which is open to students and professionals of all levels, has had over 50 participants working in everything from education to counseling to sociology–even nursing, theology, and computer science students have gained valuable skills. These learners come from all over the globe: China, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark and beyond.

Students of Adams’ course can expect to understand the purposes and practices of autoethnography—what it is and how to do it—and to be able to explain, and possibly justify, its significance by the time they’re finished. Several participants created manuscripts for publication, and many have since been accepted for publication.

Adams’ interest in autoethnography stems from two powerful aspects of his background: His studies and his real-life experience coming out. 

“First, I enjoy writing, storytelling and studying social behavior. As an undergraduate, I majored in radio-television news and production. As a graduate student, I learned techniques to study human behavior.” As an autoethnographer, he uses his training to interview others, study human behavior and draw upon his own experiences to write stories.

“Once I started coming out as queer in 2001, many of my close relationships changed—mostly in adverse ways. My family-of-origin abandoned me for some time after my disclosure and I wasn’t sure what to do,” Adams explained. “In talking with other queer folks, I realized my experience was common. They too were ostracized from their family-of-origin.” 

With autoethnography, Adams shared his personal experience hoping to help others understand the coming out process and encourage acceptance to promote more affirming relationships. 

Those wishing to share their experiences and hone their research skills can learn more about the Certificate of Autoethnography here.

–by Jenevieve Rowley-Davis