In this exercise you will try out ethnographic fieldwork as a method to study cultures. The goal is to use ethnographic techniques such as participant observation, observation, or conversation to gain...

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   In this exercise you will try out ethnographic fieldwork as a method to study cultures. The goal is to use ethnographic techniques such as participant observation, observation, or conversation to gain a better understanding of unfamiliar cultural activities or practices. The goal is to produce a written report on a cultural activity or setting of your choosing, and interpret what it means for people who engage in it.

   
   

   
   Choose an activity/field site (You only need to choose one)
   

   
   
   
   
   • It should be an activity that you have little or no prior exposure to. That is, you can claim to be a cultural outsider of sorts.
   
   
   • For example: If you have never attended a community board meeting, do so. If you have never got a manicure, get one. How about dancing? A networking event? An art exhibit opening? A student government meeting? A religious service? A rally? A yoga class?
   
   
   • 
     Avoidpicking something that involves people with a wide range of purposes and intentions. For example: Watching what people do in a park.
   
   
   
   

   
   Do your fieldwork
   

   
   
   
   
   • You can simply observe. You can participate while observing. You can also choose to speak to a cultural consultant at the site. No matter what you do, be respectful and practice cultural relativism.
   
   
   • Get permission to ask questions, and be open about why you are there. If possible, spend some time only observing without actively engaging in the activities going on.
   
   
   • TAKE NOTES. BE SPECIFIC AND CONCRETE. USE DETAIL. PAY ATTENTION TO:
     
     
     • The physical environment, time of day, ambiance, etc.
     
     
     • Who are there? What are they doing? How are they doing it? What might be the purpose of the activities taking place? Are there objects/gestures/specific speech styles being used? How are they used? What purpose do they serve?
     
     
     • Reflect on the deeper meaning of the activities going on. What might they mean to people participating in it? Do they have large cultural significance?
     
     
     • Be safe. Do not put yourself or others in harm’s way.
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • You should do your fieldwork for 45-60 mins. Take notes or write down your notes right after.
   
   
   
   

   
   What to turn in
   

   
   

   The write up should contain the following information:

   
   
   
   
   • 
     Activity/ Field site / Observation date and time
     
   
   
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     Description of the site and activity
     
     
     
     • This should be based on your notes. Give a detailed description of (1) how you did your fieldwork and (2) what you saw.
     
     
     • Do not look things up on the Internet. The description should be exclusively based on your fieldwork.
     
     
     
     
   
   
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     Analysis and reflection
     
     
     
     
     • Here you go beyond ‘describing’ to provide some of your own thoughts and analysis on the information you gathered and on your experience doing this assignment. For example:
       
       
       • What might be the meaning of the activities to the people participating in them? Why do you think the activity exist?
       
       
       • Reflect on what drew your attention during fieldwork and why that might be the case.
       
       
       • Talk about what you would do differently if you are to do fieldwork once more at the same site.
       
       
       • Challenges you encountered doing the fieldwork. Was it easy to know what was going?
       
       
       • Things you learned about the ethnographic method from this experience.
       
       
       
       
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   

   
   Formatting:
   

   
   
   
   
   • Description: 2 pages; Reflection: 1 page. In essay format.
   
   
   • Margins should be 1 inch. Double space and use a 10-12 point font.
   
   
   • Electronic submissions via Blackboard only.
   
   
   • DOC, PDF, or RTF ONLY. Other formats, such as .pages or Google doc, will not be accepted.
   
   
   • Do NOT include a cover sheet; do include your name and assignment #.
   
   
   
   

   
   Grading:
   

   
   

   You work will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

   
   
   
   
   • The depth of your descriptions
   
   
   • Thoughtfulness of your reflection on the activities’ cultural meaning
   
   
   • Your discussion on using ethnographic techniques
   
   
   • Minimal grammatical, citational, and formatting mistakes
   
   
   • Punctuality
   
   
   
   

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