English Comp 2

Due: Monday, July 17th (11:59pm)

This week, do a field observation. Go to a public place or a public event that you are curious about with a question in mind that you might begin to answer, or at least address, by observation (no interviewing or other unnecessary direct interaction with people). This observation should have something to do with our use of technology and interpersonal relationships and interactions. One catch: You must not use any of your own devices/phones/computers during this time. Just be in the place and watch and listen.

Choose a spot that will stretch your boundaries a little, but will not induce panic or cause any risk to your own personal safety or that of others—go to dinner alone at an unfamiliar restaurant, go to the movies by yourself and sit in the lobby for awhile, take a ride on a public bus if that isn’t your everyday experience. Spend at least 20 minutes observing behavior that might lead to an answer to your question, and take careful notes. Pay attention to your own feelings and experiences while observing and record that data too. How is not having technology with you affecting your own experience? Then after leaving the field, spend 5-10 minutes handwriting again your reflections on your notes. This is important as memory fades extremely quickly. ‘Dump’ as many of your observations into a notebook as soon as possible. Try to make sense of what you just witnessed.

Things to consider:

1. Ethics. Consider your impact on the environment. Is the setting a public place which does not require you to inform people that they are being observed? How is your presence affecting the environment? How can you be a good ally/participant/presence? Consider how to maintain specificity and anonymity in your notes.

2. Safety. There are no bonus points for grand measures or pushing yourself too far. Safety means both physical safety and mental/emotional safety. Choose a spot that is slightly outside of your comfort zone. This is different for each person. Always tell someone where you are going. Leave if you feel unsafe physically, emotionally, and/or mentally. Write about that experience once you get home.

3. Assumptions. Try not to prove pre-existing theories you have about the context and activities happening (and then see how hard this is!). Remember that an ethnographer's research questions should arise in the process of observation, as do answers to research questions.

Writing it up – the Week Two Discussion Board:

After completing your observation and post-field notes, write up a 400-word descriptive narrative about the experience and post it to the discussion board. What question did you set out to answer? What did you observe/notice about this place? What (initial, tentative) conclusions can you make from this observation? What did you find? How did you feel while conducting this exercise? What surprised/intrigued/disturbed you? (15 points)

Then, please also make sure to reply to another student’s posting. Good replies contribute something substantial to move the conversation forward and ask questions or leave room for further discussion. (5 points)

Remember these are graded for content and grammar, so please take your time and edit while composing.