Identify the cultural event you wish to attend
Paper instructions:
(2) Obtain some background information on the event and the place where it is held
*For example, you might contact someone who regularly attends the event or knows something about it to obtain
information specific to the event itself. That is to say, if you are going to attend a Mass, don’t secure information
about the history of the Papacy, Ca. 9th to 12th centuries AD; instead, focus on the particular service or event that you
will attend. You will find the event far more interesting and informative if you know a little of its background first, so
make that a priority before you attend the event. Examples of some data you might want to collect:
*How long has the event taken place
*Why do people attend this event
*What prominence does it play in their lives
*What importance do the participants place on the event
*What will be expected of you at this event For example, what attire and/or demeanor would be considered appropriate
(3) Talk with people involved
*After you are granted permission, ask to talk with someone or multiple people involved in the even
*Use the textbook and DVDs as a guide for appropriate conduct.
*Never allow ethnocentrism to creep into your thoughts or language
*Treat everyone you speak to with respect. Treat all activities with respect.
*Ask questions from a place of curiosity, non-judgment, non-bias, scientific inquiry, and empathy
ATTENDING THE EVENT:
*Remember, you are going in as an anthropologist, even if it is “only” a class assignment. You are an observer, so
please act appropriately and respectfully. Do not be disruptive, and do not control the course of events. If you are
uncomfortable with the situation in which you find yourself, leave and choose another event. All of this should be self-
evident, but it is very important. Also remember, anthropologists do not write “how I spent my summer vacation” types of
narrative reports. Instead, they gather data — part statistical, but mostly observational — and that is what I expect to
see here.
(1) Gather information on the following topics:
A. What was the event
B. Where was it held
C. When was it held
D. Why was it held (That is, why do people attend it)
E. Number of people in attendance. (What were the male – female, child – adult ratios A rough guess will do, unless
you determine exactly.)
F. How often is it held (Was it a regularly staged event If not, what was the special occasion)
G. Three major aspects of the event. (This section should be rather detailed and lengthy. Observe three elements you
found most interesting or that seemed to be the main focus of the event. Take careful notes on these for presentation in
your paper later. When it comes to writing your paper, clearly indicate each of the three aspects separately with
headings. These headings can be titles like “Bringing Goods to Market” or “Switching Roles.” Otherwise, if you allow each
to run into the others, they will not stand out and will doubtless get missed, resulting in a lower grade.
H. Attendee’s behavior. Observe carefully the attendee’s behavior including their interactions with each other, and
their observations about the nature or quality of the event (“It was the best ever;” “last year’s was much better,” etc.)
This is extremely important, because you are attending as a participating and observing anthropologist, and social
interaction is exactly what you are there to witness. Don’t be afraid to write long and in detail about this component of
your research!) Weave quotes into a narrative—DO NOT LIST attendee’s quotes. Show me the attendee’s behavior by writing a
rich description that seamlessly integrates people’s quotes.
I. When will it be held again
(2) A note of caution here: Your paper formally begins with Topic A and ends with Topic I. Any prologue or epilogue
you might include before or after those topics DOES NOT COUNT toward the final add-up of pages
(3) You MUST take a clip-board and paper along with you to take notes. You MUST have previous permission from the
presiding facilitator, and you MUST acknowledge your presence to this person. You must participate as much as possible.
WRITING YOUR PAPER:
(1) Page length suggestions. Sections A-F (all need to be labeled separately as you answer them) should be
about 1-1 ½ pages long. Section G should be about 3-4 pages long. This is the meat of your paper. This is where you use
your critical thinking skills, analytical skills, interpretation skills, and an anthropological lens—in other words—use
anthropology here! Section H should be about 2-2 ½ pages long. This section should make connections to Section G, and also
use critical and analytical skills, as well as an anthropological lens. Section I should be a few sentences long.
(2) Construct a cover sheet, consisting of your name, course number, and the title of your paper including the place
you attended and the event. This does not count toward the eight-ten pages that constitute your paper, nor is it worth any
points, but it if it is missing your paper will be sent back without grading to have it added.
(3) Use the nine underlined headings, A – I, as indicated above. Clearly label each in your paper, followed by your
information. Center your first heading, underline or boldface to make it apparent, then enter your information. Do that
for all nine headings, one after the other. If a particular heading is not appropriate to your topic, please type it in
anyway, followed by “N/A” (Not Applicable). If there are additional important aspects to your research that are not
covered by these nine headings, insert your own label or labels as appropriate at logical points in the paper. However,
the original A through I sections must span the 6-8 full page requirement.
(4) It is not required that you do archival research for this paper and I do not expect to see any citations
suggesting that you have done so. After all, this is a field study and you should be securing any and all information you
will require strictly from your personal observations. However, should you need to cite a reference in some rare instance,
use the Research essay writing service – MLA format ONLY, and do not forget to include a “Works Cited” page. That page, of course, will not count as one of
the 6-8 full pages of the main paper
(5) All this may seem overly-detailed, but I require it for three very important reasons. First, I do want you to
address all nine points as they pertain to your event, and this list keeps each in the forefront of your mind and in a
logical sequence. Second, I want to be able to spot each item without missing anything, and if the items were scattered
helter-skelter throughout your paper, in no discernable order, that would only send me on a lengthy “Easter egg hunt” in
which some material might very well be overlooked to your detriment — and neither you nor I wish that to happen. Finally,
you should be aware that this is a general style in which most scientific research papers are presented. They are
encyclopedic expositions of facts and analyses that have been derived through a process of lengthy and painstaking
research.
A NOTE OF CAUTION:
You MAY NOT report on activities to which you are personally and/or emotionally connected! You cannot hope to provide
an even-handed, objective field study if you choose such an activity. Among those would include clubs, work sites, socio-
political movements of which you have an opinion, organizations of one kind or another, or most especially, religions.
Indeed, reports on one’s own religion have turned into inappropriate sermons, where all objectivity is cast to the winds
and the “field study” becomes little more than a proselytizing session. And that, of course, is not the goal of this
assignment, not to mention of anthropology generally! If you do attend a religious service make sure it is not of your own
religion, and do make a determined effort to be “anthropological” in the reporting.
PLACE AN ORDER WITH US AND GET A GOOD DISCOUNT
