Routledge Ethnography and the City: Readings on Doing Urban Fieldwork (The Metropolis and Modern Life)

The only collection of its kind on the market, this reader gathers the work of some of the most esteemed urban ethnographers in sociology and anthropology. Broken down into sections that cover key aspects of ethnographic research, Ethnography and the City will expose readers to important works in the field, while also guiding students to the study of method as they embark on their own work. Review "Ethnography and the City is an invaluable book for readers fascinated by city life, and for anyone planning to conduct original ethnographic research will become an essential text. Sociologist Richard Ocejo, himself a talented urban ethnographer, offers readers an outstanding set of classic and contemporary urban ethnographic essays, with original introductions that brilliantly highlight the personal, theoretical, and ethical challenges of the urban ethnographer’s science and craft." – William Kornblum, Sociology, Chair, Center for Urban Research, Graduate Center, City University of New York "A strong, well-constructed volume of readings both classic and contemporary that will yield the careful reader great insight into the continued challenge of urban ethnography." – Gerardo Marti, Sociology, Davidson College "This volume is a must-read for budding and seasoned urban ethnographers. Like no other reader, this collection of essays showcases four core themes that ethnographers must grapple with to successfully collect rich, compelling, and accurate data. For those teaching ethnography and qualitative methods, adding this volume to course readings will greatly enhance student mastery of this invaluable social science research method." – Derek S. Hyra, Urban Affairs and Planning, Virginia Tech "Ethnography and the City is a unique pedagogical complement to traditional 'how-to' guides. Instructors will find it practical because Ocejo has selected readings and written original essays that succinctly elucidate the core issues surrounding gaining access to a field site and managing relations with participants. Students will find it inspiring because Ocejo includes excerpts from a number of first-time ethnographers and even recounts his own initial immersion in the field." – Colin Jerolmack, Sociology, Environmental Studies, New York University "Richard Ocejo's unique reader is invaluable for introducing students to the United States' rich tradition of urban ethnography. Drawing from both sociological and anthropological perspectives, from the canonical to the cutting edge, he presents a set of carefully chosen readings, organized and contextualized with substantial essays around the key themes of immersion and relationships with participants." – Teresa Gowan, Sociology, University of Minnesota "Ethnography and the City provides an engaging tour of several decades of urban scholarship. The volume’s articles and Ocejo’s insightful introductory essays outline key dilemmas urban ethnographers encounter, as well as central data collection techniques. This original volume will be a welcome addition to undergraduate and graduate methods classes, particularly those on ethnography or, more specifically, on methods for studying and understanding the city. The book will also serve courses in urban sociology, planning, and geography, for Ocejo’s selections expose students to important substantive and theoretical developments in the study of cities, while simultaneously introducing them to a methodological tradition that many urban scholars utilize." – Japonica Brown-Saracino, Sociology, Boston University "The ethnography of 'people and places in cities' has a rich tradition in American social science and this edited volume showcases the development of this line of research and its current resurgence. A solid and fascinating read as an introduction for students in urban and qualitative research courses." – Albert Hunter, Urban Studies, Northwestern University "Richard E. Ocejo's Ethnography and the City is a valuable guide to