Ethnographic Project Instructions
Personal Ethnograpy Project
This ten (10) page assignment is worth 100 points.
The File is the sample of this project please read through it first.
Background:
This
exercise teaches you some of the basic principles used while conducting
fieldwork in cultural anthropology. Ethnography is the work of
describing a culture. Typical ethnographic research employs three kinds
of data collection: interviews, observation, and documents. This
produces three kinds of data: quotations, descriptions, and excerpts of
documents. The result is one product: narrative description. This
narrative often includes charts, diagrams and additional artifacts that
help to tell the story. The goal of ethnographic inquiry is to
understand another way of life and is a useful tool for understanding
how other people see their experience. Rather than studying people –
ethnography means learning from people. While this may not be a classic
ethnographic inquiry, you will work with many of the same goals and
techniques to acquire information about your personal history in order
to share it with others…it will be an ethnographic inquiry of your
family. This is less like writing a paper and more like making a visual
scrapbook. I want to learn about you and your cultural history, so show
me with visuals AND words.
Instructions:
1. Conduct any necessary research and gather all materials and information to complete the assignment.
2. Lay out and design each page of your documet to make sure you include all the required items.
3. Remember to concentrate on conveying visual information as well as text.
4. Follow the format – piece together the pages of your project as detailed below:
page 1: cover page
– introduce yourself full name
– explain the personal meaning of your name
– provide a photo of yourself (at any age)
– include your name and the class information at the bottom of the page
page 2: biographical data
– detail where and when you were born
– include a map showing the location of your birthplace (be specific)
page 3: family origins
– identify what part of the world your family originates from (this may be many places)
– explain when they arrived there (or here) if they came from somewhere else
– include a map showing the location of your family’s origins (be specific)
page 4: lineage chart
– include a lineage chart showing you as Ego and using anthropological symbols
(click HERE for instructions)
page 5: family identity
– include a circular family chart showing the names of your family members
(click HERE for instructions)
page 6: family & cultural traditions
– share one tradition or custom your family retains from these origins
– explain the background or context and the importance this practice has for you
– you might include an artifact or heirloom passed down through generations (if your family has one)
– don’t forget to provide a visual sample
page 7: linguistics
– identify the languages found in your home
(include all that are present, even if you don’t speak the language)
– provide written samples with translations so we can experience them
page 8: food and culture
– identify some special foods that are eaten in your family
– explain why they are important and how they fit into your life
– include a recipe for one of these dishes (preferably a family one)
page 9: celebrations and holidays
– identify a special holiday that is observed in your family
– explain how this celebration is observed in your tradition
– provide context for how and why this is important to you
page 10: sources/references
– list all the sources you used to acquire the information for this project
– include the ENTIRE address or URL for websites
– you must identify where images came from
– provide context for all sources used: family members, books, websites, pictures, etc.
Reminders:
– include images/visuals on every page
– use colored fonts and creative layouts
– strive to create an experience, not just a written essay
– details and effort will be considered in grading
* Don’t forget to look at the sample project!
0 comments