Cultural Change

Ethnography Project Description (Immigrant Life History): 20 points The ethnography project will draw on anthropological theories covered in discussions and readings as well as your own ethnographic research interests in the NYC community. This project will allow you to develop your own ethnographic and analytic skills. I encourage you to explore your own cultural interests with this project and to incorporate them into your research question. You are not allowed to research your own cultural/ethnic group. Guidelines Ethnographies are different from standard research papers. They tend to be more reflexive – they include the ethnographer’s experiences, biases, and interests – and they often have a narrative structure. They incorporate anecdotes, and interpret them with support from anthropological theory (relevant Literature) and demographic & statistical data. The arguments presented in ethnographies are supported by evidence from the author’s fieldwork experience and/or from scholarly literature. Unsubstantiated opinions should not be included as fact. Acquaint yourself with your target population and record all your notes throughout the research process. While you should feel free to creatively explore the ethnographic genre, you are required to include the following in your ethnography project: • Part I – Context (5 points) : Archival background data for target population (ethnic immigrant group) you will be researching in NYC Do not include demographic/historical data for the country/nation of origin. The purpose of this assignment is to build current community knowledge, designed to establish familiarity and connection to the group’s neighborhood and immigrant experience. Do Include: 1. Demographic Research – Identify the ethnic group you will be researching, as well as the neighborhood where they reside. Using the US Census Bureau website, American Fact Finder (http://factfinder2.census.gov), as well as others, write a 1-2 page report that examines the demographics of the group’s community. (Note: You will need to enter a zip code at the website to locate the relevant data.) Consider the social and economic characteristics of the community and other important factors, e.g., race, ethnicity, housing, education, language. 2. Statistical Research – Provide recent statistical data (including charts/graphs) that indicate immigration rates (as well as any recent changes in immigration from that group). Also, include data that may indicate issues with the acculturation/assimilation experience, including economic, educational, socio-political, etc.) Include at least 2 source websites for statistical/demographic data. 3. Relevant Related Literature: Anthropologists relate to and interpret their findings through other anthropological theory texts. as well as cultural, political social, historical attributes you discovered during your ethnographic research. you should list and summarize no fewer than 2 relevant scholarly resources that may include: a) anthropology reading from our class, related to the cultural group/issue you are addressing in your research. b) journal articles (from scholarly academic journals) c) book on your specific group and/or research topic/issue. • Part II – Methodology (5 points): An explanation of at least 3 ethnographic methods used (participant observation, semi-structured interviews, kinship and social network charting, mapping, fieldnotes, etc.) and a summary of outcomes for each of them. Include a detailed description of your methodology (Example: I employed participant observation at several sites (specify sites above) on _______(dates) and observed that________. The Life History Interview of an immigrant is required for this project. • Part III – Critical Analysis & Research Outcomes (5 points): Discuss the findings of your anthropological fieldwork, in the context of the relevant literature and data. You may use the following prompts to guide your analysis: 1. What did you learn about the immigrant experience, including acculturation and/or assimilation to American culture) for this group? 2. What makes this group’s immigration and/or acculturation/assimilation experience unique (discuss cultural differences, current socio-political context, race/ethnicity bias, economic considerations, etc.)? 3. What did you learn about immigration in the USA that you didn’t know before? How has that information changed or supported your current perspective of immigration policies in the USA? Explain. 4. Explain what makes your researchrelevant to the current research in this area? Your analytical essay should be double-spaced, 1” margins, 12 pt. standard font, and including a bibliography. References should be done according to APA style.