As social scientists, ethnography is the research method that guides how we learn about, how we learn with, and how we write about people, societies, and various spaces across our local and global communities – i.e., schools, non-profit organizations, prisons, corporations, political rallies, theaters, neighborhoods. Participant observation drives ethnography, as our learning process necessarily involves immersing ourselves as much as possible in the communities where we work by participating in everyday life and events as well as documenting these experiences and observations through fieldnotes. Traditionally, the final product of our ethnographic research is an ethnography: that is, a text that describes and analyzes the research experience, focusing on specific elements that comprise that community and making theoretical connections to better understand people, their lived experiences, and how they connect with others’ experiences across the globe. The purpose of ethnography is to learn and present information to further our understanding of the human experience.
While ethnography’s emphasis on immersing oneself in the cultures and spaces where one studies supposedly allows for a deeper understanding and explanation of ways of thinking and knowing the world, the practice of ethnography is tainted by its colonial tendencies. Accordingly, in this course, while we read examples of ethnographies and consider various methods and methodologies that make up ethnographic research and writing, we will also analyze imperial tendencies and brainstorm ways to level the field of research and to make ethnography a horizontal versus a vertical practice.
***Classroom Community
Students are expected to arrive to class prepared and ready to contribute to discussion based on the day’s assignments. We will strive to create an open, respectful, and inclusive classroom environment in which we all feel safe to ask questions, share our opinions and experiences, challenge each other constructively, and think collaboratively about the pressing issues we will analyze.
This environment, which we will cultivate within our classroom, also applies to the people and spaces with whom we interact outside the classroom, particularly during our ethnographic research project at Meeting Street Academy. Approach new spaces and communities like an anthropologist in that you withhold judgment, restrain biases, and show respect and interest in people’s stories, ideas, and communities. Put your phones away, and pay attention! Be mindful and respectful of people’s opinions based on life experiences that may or may not be different from your own. Be conscious of people’s (limited) time and always follow-up with a thank-you (via email, card, or phone call).
- Teacher: Alysa Handelsman