Summer Institute 2025
Mess and Methods: Experiments in Environmental Ethnography
Graduate Summer Institute at Concordia University, August 11-22
Instructor: Kregg Hetherington
Concordia University Research Chair in Environmental Ethnography
This two-week course explores the experimental edges of environmental ethnographic practice through a creative, multi-modal exploration of Montreal’s waterways. Participants spend the first week in online discussions of environmental ethnography with visiting lectures from leading figures in the field. In the second week, we gather on the shores of the St Lawrence river for a series of practical workshops on techniques of observing, collaborating and storytelling the urban environment.
The final project of the course is to construct collaborative exhibition of the shoreline using a wide variety of ethnographic and artistic techniques.
The course includes an introductory grounding in anthropological theory and method, but is open to students with interdisciplinary backgrounds.
Course instructor is KREGG HETHERINGTON, with interventions from
ANDREA MUEHLEBACH. Vital Frontiers: Online conversation about international water rights activism
ZOE TODD. Every Part of Canada is a Fish Place: Online conversation about water relations
LAURA OGDEN. Writing in Place: a workshop on place-based observation and writing on the shores of the St. Laurence
STEVEN HIGH. Walking the Postindustrial Canal: an oral history walking tour of Montreal’s south-west borough
KATHLEEN VAUGHN. Species as Collaborators: print-making workshop using plant materials from the shoreline
MONTREAL WATERWAYS COLLECTIVE. Composite Ethnography: a collaborative, multimodal project facilitated by members of the Ethnography Lab
Course schedule
A detailed syllabus will be sent to participants in July. The schedule of meetings may vary somewhat from day to day, but the overall structure looks like this:
WEEK 1: Aug 11-15
The class meets every morning on Zoom from 10-12 to discuss that day’s readings, then again from 1-3 to hear from guest speakers (Muehlebach and Todd) and to group assignments.
WEEK 2: Aug 18-22
Monday to Wednesday will take place outside at different sites in Montreal. We’ll provide detailed directions on how to get around, but participants are responsible for bringing food, good footwear and to be prepared for whatever the weather throws at us.
Thursday and Friday will take place at the Milieux Institute at Concordia’s downtown campus. Most days will run from 10am to 4pm.
Course Requirements
Students do not have to have any specific ethnographic, artistic or technical experience to take the course, but any of these skills will be an asset. The course itself is intensive: students need to be present for all aspects of the course, read all required readings, and be prepared to work intensively on a collaborative group project. Graded components of the course include short online presentations, a personal reflection essay, a collaborative multimodal exhibition, and a final paper.
Registration and Course Credit
Spaces are limited, and applicants need to receive permission from the course instructor. To apply to participate, please visit this form:
The deadline for filling out the form is June 1st. Once permission is granted, students will be able to register officially with the Registrar at Concordia.
Students will receive graduate credit in Anthropology from Concordia University. In exceptional circumstances, students may ask for an alternate credit.
Auditing the course
Once we know how many people are formally registered for the course, we may open some spaces for auditors for some portions of the class. If you would like to be considered for one of these spaces, indicate it on the registration form.
Cost
The cost of registration is regular tuition for a 3-credit course at Concordia. Please consult Concordia’s webpage for current tuition rates, and be aware that students form outside of Quebec will pay higher tuition.
Some modest stipends are available to defray travel costs for students from out of town.
Any additional costs for travel to Montreal, and for getting around the city, are the responsibility of participants.
Supported by
Department of Sociology and Anthropology; Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Concordia Ethnography Lab; and Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and Technology