Write a narrative summary of your notes describing what you experienced. Then, explain how each of
the three sociological perspectives (structural-functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and social
conflict) would analyze what you say. Your description of your observation should represent about
50% of your paper and your analysis another 50%, divided evenly between the three perspectives. At the
end of your paper, discuss which perspective you think is the best suited to analyze your observation and
why you think so. Whenever appropriate, link the information you present to concepts, theories, facts, and
core values of “community and social justice” from the course.
You may use additional resources, provided they are appropriately cited. You are required to use the
American Sociological Association (ASA) formatting style to format your paper and sources. Information
on ASA is available in the course under Resources. For additional information on plagiarism, click here to
view a 15-minute video lesson by Dr. Patricia Campion. You will be prompted to enter your SLU Portal
username and password to gain access to the video. Once the video starts playing (may take a few
minutes to load), forward it to Slide 28 titled, “Am I Plagiarizing? Why, or why not?” and view through
soc121_writing_assignment_1_instructions.pdf
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SOC121 Writing Assignment 1 Instructions
1
The goal of field observation is to obtain “thick descriptions” (as described by Clifford Geertz in The
Interpretation of Cultures) of a setting or group from the perspective of the participants, and to explain
what you observe using insights from the sociological perspective.
Observe the activities at a public place for two hours. Choose a place where you do not need to ask
permission to stay and will not get in trouble for observing what is going on. This can be a coffee shop, a
farmer’s market, a mall, a religious service, a train station, a courtroom, etc. Avoid schools, hospitals,
anything on a military base, or any other restricted place. Make sure to go at a time when there will be a
lot of activity. Take some notes about what is happening: What does this place look like? How is it
organized spatially? Who comes here? What do they do? How do people interact with each other? What
kind of conversations go on? Are there any subgroups? How do people handle unexpected or upsetting
situations?
Write a narrative summary of your notes describing what you experienced. Then, explain how each of
the three sociological perspectives (structural-functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and social
conflict) would analyze what you say. Your description of your observation should represent about
50% of your paper and your analysis another 50%, divided evenly between the three perspectives. At the
end of your paper, discuss which perspective you think is the best suited to analyze your observation and
why you think so. Whenever appropriate, link the information you present to concepts, theories, facts, and
core values of “community and social justice” from the course.
You may use additional resources, provided they are appropriately cited. You are required to use the
American Sociological Association (ASA) formatting style to format your paper and sources. Information
on ASA is available in the course under Resources. For additional information on plagiarism, click here to
view a 15-minute video lesson by Dr. Patricia Campion. You will be prompted to enter your SLU Portal
username and password to gain access to the video. Once the video starts playing (may take a few
minutes to load), forward it to Slide 28 titled, “Am I Plagiarizing? Why, or why not?” and view through
Slide 195.
The paper will be a minimum of seven (7) pages in length and include a title page and a reference page,
using a standard 12-point font. You may use additional resources, provided they are appropriately cited.
You are required to use the American Sociological Association (ASA) formatting style to format your
paper and sources. Information on ASA is available in the course under Resources.
This assignment is due no later than Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT of Module 4. This assignment will be
automatically submitted to Turnitin via the Assignment box to verify its originality.
How to choose a setting or group:
For this project, choose a group or setting of which you have some knowledge. Don’t be too ambitious.
Avoid putting yourself and others at risk at all cost. Do not choose a setting or group with which you are
not comfortable.
Before you start your project, think about potential risks (physical, emotional, legal). Most public settings
are suitable and safe. Places to avoid include bathrooms, any places where illegal activities are likely to
take place, or your own work setting (the potential for conflict, discomfort, and legal issues is too high).
For groups, some groups you are involved in, such as sports teams, may work, but you have to think
about how to balance your involvement with the group and your role as a researcher.
Put together a plan for your observations: How often are you going to observe? How long will the
observation sessions last? You want to capture as much interesting behavior as possible, so take that
into account. For some groups/settings, there will be a fixed duration (church service, sports game, etc.).
For others (malls, parking lots, etc.), you will have to make a determination of what would be feasible and
useful. Some observations may last only a few minutes, and others over an hour.
SOC121 Writing Assignment 1 Instructions
2
How to behave in the field:
If you need permission, make sure you obtain it from the appropriate person (director of the organization,
head of the group) before you start your observation. Be upfront about the goal of your project: you are
conducting an observation for a college class, and you will use your findings in a class paper. You are
guaranteeing everybody anonymity.
When you start your observation, it is possible that people will react to your presence. Be as
inconspicuous as possible. Think about how you dress: you should blend in. Be casual and discreet. Do
not stare. Be respectful. People may indicate that they want privacy, even in a public setting. Give them
that privacy. If they indicate that you make them uncomfortable, leave them alone.
If you talk to people, do not impose your views, do not take a stand. Let people talk rather than try to give
your opinion. Remember that you are in the field to learn about them. Be as neutral as possible in your
statements, but remain open and friendly to encourage them to speak.
Strive to become invisible. Match your mood to that of the group or setting so your reactions are read as
appropriate.
Adopt a neutral position to what you observe: appreciate situations rather than try to change them. Do not
judge.
Should you feel threatened in any way by a person or situation, leave the setting. Should a conflict occur,
do not get involved. Should anybody be in need of immediate assistance, step out of your research role,
and respond to the situation as best you can.
How to record your observations:
Good notes are key to an observation project because they are the basis upon which you are going to
build your findings.
Note-taking takes place in two stages:
1) In the field: take cryptic notes. Jot down brief accounts of what is going on so that you do not
forget it. Write a few key words or phrases, not complete sentences. Be a sponge: write down
what you see, hear, smell, without trying to analyze it.
2) At home: transcribe your notes. Type them up in a word processor, elaborating on your cryptic
notes to include everything you remember. The notes should be very descriptive. Reserve any
judgment for a separate section of comments of your own, where you relate your reaction to the
events, and start analyzing what you have observed using what you are learning in class. Also
write down any questions that come to mind about things you did not understand and want to
probe into in your next observation.
Reminder: You have to guarantee people anonymity, so you cannot write down any names, in your notes
or paper. Use pseudonyms or codes.
Think about what you are going to take your notes on. You have to be discreet in most settings, so think
about something that fits well in your purse or pocket. Bring several pens!
In most groups or settings, you will be too conspicuous if you take notes in the open. So if you conduct a
lengthy observation, plan to take a break to go to a private place (your car, a bathroom, etc.) where you
can write down some notes.
Take in the physical setting; draw a map of the location, including how the main participants are
positioned. You may do this only once during your first observation, or every time, if the participants or the
organization of the setting change.
Write down bits of conversations between participants, verbatim as much as possible. Eavesdropping is
against our social norms, but it is essential to good observation, so do not be bashful. Just be discreet.
Note the sequence of events. This is easily forgotten.
3
SOC121 Writing Assignment 1 Instructions
Write about the relationships between participants (how they are connected to each other). Are there
prominent individuals? Leaders? Popular people?
If you cannot write your cryptic notes as you observe, or find a quiet place to go and write them at regular
intervals, limit your observation time to about 20 minutes.
Transcribe your notes as soon as possible after you have completed your observation session, and in all
cases, within 72 hours.
If you concentrate on remembering, aided by your cryptic notes, you will see that you will remember a lot.
Write down everything you remember. Your transcribed notes have to be as detailed as possible.
Rubric for Writing Assignment 1
Outstanding
Very Good
Organization of the paper
(introduction, conclusion,
paragraphs)
Observations setting is
appropriate
Observations are detailed
Observations include all
elements indicated in the
instructions
Observation account
represents 50% of the
paper
Student understands
structural functionalism
Student understands
conflict theory
Student understands
symbolic interactionism
Application of the theories
represent 50% of the
paper
Included core value
“community and social
justice”
Sources are correctly
cited*
Grammar, spelling,
punctuation
*Plagiarism will result in a 0 for the assignment.
Satisfactory
Insufficient
Unacceptable
…
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