Unit Two Assignment
Applying Ethnographic Methods
Part A: Doing Anthropology
In this assignment you will use the basic anthropological tools below to study a sub-culture of your choice. If you are uncertain as to what sub culture to choose you can use community college culture. This is an academic exercise and will not be published anywhere. and *UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO IDENTIFY ANY INDIVIDUALS.
Intro: Protections
What measures will you take to protect the individuals you are gathering information from? Please be specific.
Basic Ethnographic Tools (Choose Three)
1. Mapping: Loosely map the community. We are interested in people, as much as we are interested in spatial design or structure, so make sure you designate areas where people socialize, gather resources, etc. You may also map micro-environments such as classrooms, or internal spaces. If you cannot scan your map digitally, provide a detailed description of the contents. Don't forget to include poeple on your map .
2. Participant Observation. Note how you are feeling today, write this information in your notes. Hang out in the community you are studying. Observe and record what you see and hear in this community. Use thick description, or all your senses: smells, sounds, rate of movement in the environment. Make sure you move about if it is appropriate for your observation. Eventually, record these notes in type written form.
3. Free- listing: (multiple participants) The technique can assist in uncovering "classifications of reality" or cultural domains. It requires you to compose a key question or provide particular instructions. Some examples of of instructions for a free listing exercise could be:
b. List everyone you consider to be family members.
c. List all of the places you successfully study or complete your homework,
a. List everything that can make people sick.
4. Key Informant Interviews; Choose a particular person (anonymous) that is considered...