University Writing (WRIT 1301): Ethnography Assignment Ann Strey CIS Composition Eastview High School

What is Ethnography?  Ethnography literally means the description (“-graphy”) of a people (“ethos”). It is a narrative account of a people and their way of life. It also refers to the process through which a researcher collects and interprets information

Begin by understanding “culture.”  Culture is the knowledge a group of people uses to generate behavior and interpret experience.  Culture is a shared why of life…fundamental ideas and behaviors expressed in a common identity and a common history.

Elements of Culture  Family Structure  Roles  Interpersonal relationships  Communication  Decorum and Discipline  Religion  Values  Education  Holidays and Celebrations  Dress and personal appearance  Work and Play  Art and music  Technology  Layout of space  Art and music  Expectations and aspirations

You will become the anthropologist!  You will conduct a scientific study of a group of people by observing them in their own environment.  You will conduct “field work;” the gathering of data through participant-observation, observing and interacting with the group you are studying.

Gather quantitative data  Maps  Inventories  Photographs  Documents  Samples/Surveys

Gather Qualitative Data-most important part of your task!  Participate in insider events  Observe rituals or special events  Interview informants  Collect histories or stories  Keep your own response journal or field notes

Fieldnotes  The ethnographer’s job is to write up the observations and findings so that “outsiders” come to see what it might be like to live within a different society or subculture.  Think about what the natives know or need to know.  See Dr. Dianna Shandy’s information on writing up effective fieldnotes.

Other Important Key Concepts:  Cultural Distance: the space between cultural groups…the degree to which members of different cultural groups can communicate with each other.  Key Cultural Scenes/Events: places where members of a cultural group come together to restate and reinforce their common beliefs, values, and identities…the action usually involves well defined rituals that rely on special words, objects, or behaviors.

3 more!  Cultural Broker: a person who guides the ethnographer through another culture. The person who is your “in” or contact.  Ethnocentrism: the belief that your culture is inherently good and right…better than any other…recognize your biases  Cultural Relativism: the philosophy that each culture has to be understood on its own terms…as meaningful to those who live it.

A good ethnographer is…  Adventurous  Resourceful  Enthusiastic  Self-motivated  Trustworthy  Risk-taking…get out of that comfort zone!  Curious  Sociable  Able to think conceptually  Culturally sensitive

Things to think about when planning your project  Observe a consistent group of people  Make sure you will be able to conduct multiple visits  Begin early…observe often  Get out of your comfort zone!  Write down everything! Reflect…double entry journal?  Participate…interview…interact…be respectful!

Collaboration…Do you want to write with a partner?  The NCTE Definition of 21 st Century Literacies states: “Twenty-first century readers and writers need to build relationships with others to pose and solve problems collaboratively and cross-culturally.” Writing is a social, meaning-making endeavor. By writing collaboratively, students engage in critical thinking and authentic communication. This helps developing writers increase their writing skills and strategies.

Ethnography Experience-Research  Research a sub-culture with which you are unfamiliar, becoming an "expert“ (as much as time allows) on that culture.  Primary Research a. Observe the culture at least 5 times (spend between 18/20 hours in observation) b. Conduct a minimum of three interviews  Secondary Research - as needed to clarify information

Begin to write…Make a Discovery  About yourself a. What presumptions were upheld, dispelled or challenged? b. How was your attitude changed? c. What did you learn about yourself as a result of this project?  About our American culture a. How is the sub-culture you studied reflective of the larger culture? b. Explain how the culture is different from the larger culture.

Describe the Culture  What holds the culture together? (behaviors, values, beliefs, rights, rituals, language, body language, fads, experiences, shared history  Avoid the "job description"  Report on your discovery and support it  Avoid structured settings when there is little opportunity for natural interaction  Avoid "random" groups when there is little chance for consistent observation

A good Ethnography… Provides a detailed description of the cultural setting…time and place, atmosphere

A good ethnography… Defines the entry point…how the ethnographer “got inside.”

A good ethnography… Distinguishes between “insider” and “outsider” perspectives…including the ethnographer’s biases.

A good ethnography… Communicates values and beliefs through action…both rituals and routines.

A good ethnography… Highlights the sense of group identity and solidarity…the “we” factor.

A good ethnography… Puts the pieces together…ideas, behaviors, settings begin to form a pattern.

A good ethnography… Tells how the writer or writers become a member of the culture…identifies the boundaries

A good ethnography… Recognizes the forces of change…inside and from without

A good ethnography… Captures the shared humanity…cultural differences become understandable.

Assignment Requirements  Conduct 3 hours of primary research observations.  Conduct two or more interviews  Conduct research to help clarify biases, questions etc. Keep a calendar/record of observation time to submit with process work.

Submit a project proposal  One paragraph explaining your project  A list of prior biases  A list of possible obstacles to successful completion of your project and how those will be addressed  A list of names of potential resource people and people to be interviewed  Describe what you need to know before writing about the sub-culture (to be informed; to not offend) about practical concerns (directions to the place of observation, transportation, appropriate dress, etc.

Process Work  Participate in peer conference group Provide drafts to group members Revise and edit group papers Evaluate group members Submit all process work with final paper

Final Paper  Adhere to class manuscript form requirements  Use MLA format to document sources  Submit final paper of approximately pages.