Ethnographic Study Collage

Hi everyone,

Sorry I am late posting this. I thought it needed to be posted before class tonight. Oops. I hope you enjoy it!

Reading Response 21

In terms of Madison, 2012, Chapter 9: Case Studies, describe one of the researcher's (Joan, Robert or Nia) application of the performance paradigm?

Since I have been following Joan closely throughout this semester, I will write about Joan. Joan incorporated performance into her ethnographic process by performing the results of her fieldwork. She used dramatic readings to read the interviews of her participants. She had performers interpret her data through stage pictures. She used representational scenes to show the audience what she had seen during her data collection. Joan also used presentational scenes to showcase the ideas and themes she had seen during her fieldwork.

Reading Response 20

In terms of Madison, 2012, Chapter 8: Writing how will you use TODD (time, organization, & deep discipline) in your writing plan and implementation?

"For me and most of the other writers I know, writing is not rapturous. In fact, the only way I can get anything written at all is to write really, really shitty first drafts." Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird (1994).

I decided to start with this quote because I completely identify with it! I also teach writing based on a similar philosophy: writing is a process. It is never perfect, and revisiting what we've written later gives us a snapshot of where we were at at that particular moment in time. I love to save things I've written throughout my life and revisit them later. An essay from elementary school that won me a second place ribbon reminds me that I once knew very little about composing a paragraph but placed a lot of importance on having healthy options in the school cafeteria. A high school diary entry reminds me of the feeling of being infatuated with my first boyfriend. My undergraduate essays speak of a prideful young history student who thought she had all the answers. Writing is in its essence performance, yet for me it can be extremely difficult to begin the process. As a matter of fact, I'm writing this thinking that chapter four and five of my thesis were due this week and I have not been able to put any words on the page yet. So, with that in mind, on to the actual answer.

I plan on implementing TODD next week as I am on spring break at work. Next week I have set aside Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning (8-1) for writing these two chapters. The chapters are already outlined, and I know what I want to say, I am just nervous that it won't come out the way I want it to. I want to be proud of this project, and be able to create something that others will benefit from. That pressure, plus the time constraint, is driving me crazy with nerves. I know having time scheduled has releived some of that pressure, although I am still somewhat avoiding my chair...

Reading Response 19

In terms of Madison, 2012, Chapter 7: Performance, what is the value of understanding ethnography through a performance paradigm?

If we are looking at a specific group of people and attempting to describe or analyze their way of life, we cannot overlook performance. A critical ethnographer will not simply leave out this part of the human experience, because it is a piece of the cultural puzzle. Performing allows us to reflect on our beliefs, ideals, and the things we value as a culture. It allows for expression without boundaries. Often in a performance piece, the person is able to express his or her self more than in their every day life due to sociocultural constraints. As a musician, I understand the importance of performance for life. When I am not performing music for others, I feel incomplete. It is a huge part of me and until someone has heard me play my violin, I feel like they don't really know me. A friend of mine heard me play a few weeks ago for the first time, and he was surprised that I had never mentioned that I play music. It made me laugh as it is not the same to tell someone you play music as it is to play music for them. Music allows me to express emotion without feeling judged or innappropriate. When looking at a culture, performance is key to understanding the members that make up that culture.

Reading Response 18

After reading the article "Evaluating Ethnography: Qualitative Inquiry," I realized that if I am going to incorporate ethnographic research into my project, I must become a reflexive practitioner. I printed out the series of five questions to ask myself to ensure that I am doing scientific work, even though I may present my findings in a writing style that is more like literary writing. I will make sure I review the five questions as I am writing my project.

Reading Response 17

For this assignment, I chose to write a lesson plan for my World History students. One of the state standards asks them to look at Imperialism from the perspective of the colonizers and the colonized, so I wrote a plan in which students will portray both roles in an acting piece. The lesson plan is attached to this post.

Reading Response 16

Above are portraits of my research participants.

Reading Response 15

Art-based research is a great way to avoid the ethical concerns of a written published ethnography due to its innately anonymous nature. Some types of art based research lend themselves to protecting the anonymity of the participants, such as painting or visual art. The ethnographer can represent his or her study participants without exposing their identities or subjecting them to further stereotyping. Likewise, presenting results in a theatrical manner or through fiction allows the ethnographer to weave in truth with fiction. This prevents members from being revealed because the reader or viewer does not know which parts are truth, and which parts are fiction.

Reading Response 14

Though each case study presented in Chapter Six of Critical Ethnography is unique and involves different ethical considerations, some of the ethical considerations apply to more than one of the studies. In both Joan and Robert's studies, there is a concern that the researchers will accidentally sensationalize the research participants. While Joan does not want to perpetuate the stereotype that African people are not "human," Robert is concerned that he will accidentally expose on of his participants and destroy his life. Whereas Joan worries about humiliating an entire group of people, Robert fears that he may destroy the life of one man by exposing his secret life. Both researchers face a dillema of exploiting their research participants without meaning to. Nia's ethical dillemna also plays a role in both Joan and Robert's studies. All three ethnographers are faced with the decision of what they can and should include in their published work while still protecting the causes and identities of their research participants.

Reading Response 13

In Chapters Four through Six of Critical Ethnography, the author discusses the ethics behind ethnography. I chose to write about Joan, since I wrote about her for my first reading responses.

After completing her fieldwork, Joan returns to the United States to begin writing her dissertation, an ethnographic study of a group of indigenous people in West Africa. As she begins the writing process, Joan feels guilty that she will be profiting from the horrific experiences the consltants have endured. She realizes that her words could be used to perpetuate negative stereotypes and that she is, in a way, exploiting the people she studied. Joan's professor suggests seven different methods for ensuring her population is represented without judgement and in a way that supports their cause instead of hurting it.

Joan began her study by becoming aware of a cause and becoming an advocate for that cause. She worked with her consultants to ensure a deep understanding of the cause. She made sure to offer suggestions "within the realm of dialogical performance" and not as ordered directions (pg. 152). Joan also stayed mindful of anonymity and confidentiality, ensuring that her subjects were sheilded from exposure. She coded names, places, and events so the public would not be able to identify individuals. Joan also researched the history behind the group she was studying, making sure to validate the cultural experiences instead of criticizing the people. She was a self-reflective practitioner, and spent time daily reflecting on her own biases and opinions. She stayed transparent regarding her own position as an advocate.

Joan took several precautionary measures to ensure the safety of her consultants; she avoided explicitly exploiting the West African group by following a prescribed set of methods to maintain ethical relations.

Reading Response 12

Hi everyone! For this post I am going to be using photography to show results of my research. I am researching a hybrid independent study program that is structured around the Circle of Courage framework. (For more information about the Circle of Courage, click on the link http://www.reclaiming.com/content/about-circle-of-courage.)

The theme I worked with that I really feel represents our program is "hope." Often, my students come from challenging backgrounds and the majority of my students have been invited to leave schools prior to attending ours. They are often recovering from drug addictions, readjusting to life outside of institutions, or looking for a place where they belong. The change that takes place in a short amount of time (usually about two weeks) is amazing to me. When I read student files and applications, I am often nervous about meeting the student. However, my students consistently break stereotypes and prove that they are capable. Above is the photo I've chosen to represent the idea of hope.

The photo I chose to represent hope reminds me that no matter where a student has been, or how unlikely it seems that they can be successful, there is always hope. This is a picture I took of a tree growing in a barren courtyard at Alcatraz in 2008. Despite the rough exterior and surroundings, and the history that tree had experienced, it was beautiful. Hope you enjoy!

Reading Response 11

I chose to read through the Case Study website. I was already considering writing a case study for two students for my master's project, and the website confirmed my idea. I will actually being doing a process called a comparative case study, which compares the experience of two separate students who share a common characteristic. The two students are both high school students where I teach, and they are both receiving special education support for emotional disturbance. Both students were expelled from their home district, and transferred to our school in their junior years. Both students have made a complete turn around and are now doing great in school. Because my project is a program description, I wanted to include a brief case study about these two students, but was unsure how to incorporate this into my project. Now I know I can complete a comparative case study! Great!

Reading Response 10

For this assignment I created a comic strip that shows some of my research about the benefits of independent study hybrid programs. Click the link to view:
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=56813724C648447

I made the comic at www.makebeliefscomix.com. This is an awesome site that allows anyone to create a three panel comic strip.