Questions For The Ethnography Project For This Discussion

Questions For Theethnography Projectfor This Discussion I Would Like

Questions for the ethnography project: 1. Let me know what subculture you plan on working with. 2. Post 10 questions you plan on asking the people you are doing your work with. These questions should explore topics related to the subculture, rituals, beliefs, practices, or cultural aspects based on course readings or relevant themes. You will conduct participant observation or interviews with at least two members of the subculture, aiming for detailed, open-ended responses. Consider multiple interviews if necessary. You should also apply cross-cultural comparison, holistic perspective, and cultural relativism in your analysis.

Paper For Above instruction

The ethnographic project is designed to allow students to engage deeply with a specific subculture through participant observation and detailed interviews. This inquiry facilitates an understanding of subcultural practices, beliefs, rituals, and values from an insider perspective, while also applying anthropological approaches such as cultural relativism and holistic analysis. Critical to this project is the formulation of ten thoughtful, open-ended questions that will guide interviews with members of the chosen subculture, helping to explore their cultural practices and social meanings.

The first step involves selecting a subculture that is accessible for observation and interaction—whether through participation in events or rituals or through informal interviews. For example, a student might choose to study the vegan community, the punk rock scene, or another culturally distinct group. The questions should be crafted to delve into the cultural significance of practices, beliefs about identity, and the community's unique worldview, informed by relevant course readings or cultural themes. For example, questions might include inquiries about rituals ("What rituals do you participate in?"), symbols ("Are there specific symbols or clothing that are important?"), beliefs ("What do you believe is essential to your subculture?"), and perceived cultural conflicts ("Do you see any conflicts between your subculture and mainstream culture?").

To enrich the project, students are encouraged to analyze how the subculture aligns with or challenges broader societal norms. Participant observation might involve attending events, rituals, or spaces where members gather, observing behaviors and interactions firsthand. When in-person participation isn’t possible, interviewing community members within their typical settings—such as community centers, social gatherings, or online platforms—can provide valuable insights. Multiple interviews may be necessary to gather sufficient depth of understanding. These interviews, like observations, must focus on open-ended questions to elicit detailed narratives, allowing students to capture the subculture's internal perspectives.

Applying anthropological principles like cultural relativism involves assessing practices and beliefs without bias, understanding them within their own cultural context. Cross-cultural comparison requires students to identify similarities and differences between their chosen subculture and other cultural groups, thus gaining a holistic understanding of its unique features and shared human phenomena. These analyses lead to more nuanced interpretations, avoiding ethnocentric judgments.

Throughout the project, students should document their process, reflect on their role as observers, and critically evaluate their understanding of the subculture. The final paper should synthesize observations and interview data, highlighting key themes, rituals, and cultural meanings. Discussions should include reflections on how their perceptions evolved through fieldwork and how their findings relate to broader anthropological theories.

This ethnographic approach not only develops research skills but also enhances cultural awareness, empathy, and analytical thinking. By participating in or observing a subculture, students gain firsthand experience of cultural diversity and the ways in which social groups construct identities and maintain cohesion through shared practices and symbolic behaviors. The final deliverable will demonstrate an in-depth, culturally sensitive understanding of their chosen community, supported by scholarly references and grounded in anthropological methodology.

References

Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures. Basic Books.

Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, P. (2007). Ethnography: Principles in Practice (3rd ed.). Routledge.

Spradley, J. P. (1979). The Ethnographic Interview. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Whyte, W. F. (1991). Participatory Action Research. Sage Publications.

Emerson, R. M., Fretz, R. I., & Shaw, L. L. (2011). Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes. University of Chicago Press.

Hernández, R. B., & Miller, T. (2018). Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Anthropology. Routledge.

Marcus, G. E., & Fischer, M. M. J. (1986). Anthropology as Cultural Critique: An Experimental Moment in the Human Sciences. University of Chicago Press.

LeCompte, M. D., & Schensul, J. J. (2010). Designing Ethnographic Research. Rowman & Littlefield.

Lutz, C., & Collier, S. J. (Eds.). (1996). niyang na: An Ethnography of the Kalahari San. University of Chicago Press.

Fetterman, D. M. (2010). Ethnography: Step-by-Step. Sage Publications.