Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Due:
Assignment Process
1.
Selecting a Group
You will identify some subculturea group of people who share ritual behaviors, valued objects, common language,
and a set of valuesfor the purpose of understanding the way of life for that community. Youll need a group that meets
at a particular place at a particular time (so you can actually observe). Meetings of clubs or interest groups, sporting or
academic events, workplaces, religious services, classes, and social gatherings all provide a location and a time to observe.
You must get approval from me for your group selection. You will upload your group idea on Moodle, and I will write back
with approval or suggestions.
2.
You will be a primary researcher for this assignmentacting somewhat like an anthropologistby going out into the
world to the field site where these people can be found, observing them, and writing down your observations. You need
to observe your group on at least two occasions. Identify at least one member of the group that you can interview. We
will discuss interviews in class, but essentially, you are looking for the same information listed below. Finally, you will
consult secondary resources via the library databases/internet to learn more about your group or about the type of group
youve selected.
Tips on observation/interviewing/research: Its best to take notes during the observation/interview. If that is impractical,
take notes immediately afterward. Summarizing your memories of an event is not what ethnographic observation calls for
(though its okay in journalism or memoir). You want to get down detailed, specific, observations, on details such as:
the physical environment (the room, decorations, facilities draw maps, write descriptions)
social environment (Describe the community this group is a part of, and where they fit in that community.)
timelines (You can write down what happens every five minutes, for instance. Or you can write down a time next
to each observation.)
any other concrete, physical detail of behavior, speech, or the environment
Interview questions should focus on how one member interprets the above details, plus any other pertinent
information such as how the group communicates.
Secondary research should on information that put the group into a broader context. For example, if writing
about a specific sorority, you would want broader research that describes how sororities fit into the wider scale
of the university setting. Plus, you would want to research any answers to the above observations you make.
Privacy Warning: Use common sense. Be aware of privacy issues. You are writing a public paper. If you are observing
a public setting, remember that your subjects didnt give permission, and avoid using real names or reporting
anything personal. If you are observing a private setting, let people know you are writing a paper. Dont report
private conversations; report typical examples of speech, and snippets of conversation.
3.
It will be easy to write the assignment if you have a wealth of detailed observations to write about, so make sure you are
thorough in the above sections. You will write two sections: What you observed and found via research, plus your
interpretation of the research.
The first part of your paper will report what you saw.
The introduction can identify who this group is, where and when you observed them, who you interviewed (not
by real name), and any secondary research you did. Also, describe what connection, if any, you have to the
group.
The first part of the body will report your observations. What did you see and hear? Be certain that language
how the group communicates via speaking, writing, readingis one of the things you observe and write about.
The second part of the paper/body will try to find patterns and lessons in what you observed. You should try to bring up
as many questions about your observation as you can think of, such as:
The questions are endless; any question is good that draws a pattern or a lesson from your observation.
Remember that as you interpret, you are conveying your own thoughts. There is no absolutely objective way to measure
the truth of what you say but it will be well supported if you can point to detailed observations to back up your
thoughts. It is okay to use first-person (I) to discuss your impressions and feelings. Just use examples to show why you
arrived at that thought.
above questions and that you can come back to at the end of the semester when you discuss this assignment in your EPortfolio.
Help from Me
Remember that my office hours are 11 to Noon on Tuesdays. Generally, Im available on campus most Tuesday and
Thursday mornings. Mondays and Wednesdays, we can discuss issues over the phone or via some interactive chat
software. (http://todaysmeet.com) is supposed to be cool b/c it generates a printed transcript of the chat.)
Remember: The student who has a question but does not ask it cannot be helped. The student who has a question and
asks it, can be helped.