i need a cultural norms field report

Due: Friday, February 11, 2022

Field Site Selection: Your micro-cultural field site will be any public space in your local area where you can safely observe peoples’ behaviors without invading anyone’s privacy. For example, you may choose to do your fieldwork at a dog park, coffee shop, the courtyard outside the school library, etc. Requirements for choosing a location:

There must be a minimum of 3 people (not including yourself) during your observations
This must be a safe place! If you have any concerns about your safety at a particular field site, choose a different location! This should also be a location where you can abide by COVID safety guidelines (e.g., well-ventilated outdoor areas). If you’re not sure where to go, please let me know so we can figure out a location that works for you.
Be sensitive to the privacy and comfort of the people at your field site.
No personal information (names or any other identifiable information) is to be obtained from anyone at your site. Any observations you make should remain completely anonymous.
Do not invade anyone’s privacy or eavesdrop on private conversations. Only public speech with a reasonable expectation of being overheard should be included in your observations (e.g., someone speaking directly to you, public commentary at an event, etc.).
You will be asked to observe language as part of this assignment later in the semester, but this does not mean you should eavesdrop on private conversations! Instead, you will observe public speech where people would reasonably expect to be heard.
Your field site selection should be submitted through the Field Site Identification page by Friday, January 28.



Cultural Norms Observations Activity: This assignment consists of becoming a keen observer of culturally patterned behavior to better appreciate the cornerstone of ethnographic anthropological inquiry – participant-observation.

Observation Instructions: You are to complete this fieldwork by yourself. No friends, relatives or acquaintances can be there to help you or keep you company. During your field observation, be a meticulous observer, take notes, and notice all the subtleties of behavioral norms in this environment that you can. Learn as much as possible. You may ask questions of people at your field site if you choose to do so, but this is not required and should only be done if it can be done safely and ethically. During your field session you should take note of the following:

The setting (day, time, place, and social atmosphere of your site)
Where and when were you there? How long did you stay?
How crowded is the location? Who is present?
Is there a single overall mood, or is it variable?
Behaviors and activities
What kinds of behaviors are people engaging in?
Are there interactions between individuals?
Does anyone stand out?
Norms and deviations
Do you see any behavior patterns, rules, or customs that people seem to be following?
Is there any non-normative (i.e., “deviant”) behavior?
Short Report Instructions: The short report should be 1-2 pages, typed, and double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font. Field notes may be hand-written. This assignment is due Friday, February 11 and should be submitted through Canvas. Late reports will be reduced by 5% (1 point) per class day late.

You will use your field notes to reflect on your observation and submit a brief report that includes the following:

A brief description of the field site including the time, place, and atmosphere of your observation, and who was present.
A description of the cultural norms for this location, including any customs, behaviors, or “rules” that were followed by people at your site.
How does one behave “appropriately” in this setting?
What are the consequences of behaving inappropriately (if you observed any “non-normative” behavior)?
A reflection on this experience including anything that struck you about the activity, and how you think your own perceptions influenced your observations.