Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
ANTH111: Introduction to Anthropology
Section 06
Fall, 2007
Instructor: Gregory Vogel
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Instructions for Field Work Project
For this project you will conduct anthropological fieldwork, taking detailed notes while you do so, and write up interpretations from your observations. You will not need to do library or Internet research for this project – the paper will be based on observations from your fieldwork and from class readings and lectures.
There are four projects for you to choose from, each described below (pick only one option). This assignment will take a significant amount of time, so don't wait until the end of the semester to begin!
You will turn in your original field notes as well as your write-up. The field notes are worth 10 points and the write-up is worth 10 points. Be sure to write the field notes NEATLY – if I can't read them, they won't get any points! The paper should be 5-6 pages long with 1-inch margins all around, double-spaced, 12-point font. No weird fonts or colors, please. Staple all material together to hand in – do not put them in binders, folders, etc.
This assignment is due in class on Wednesday, November 28. It is worth a total of 20 points; 2 points will be deducted for each day it is turned in late.
Option 1: Archaeology
The fieldwork for this project will be conducted at Cahokia Mounds Historic Site in Collinsville. Be sure to read or re-read the archaeologically-related class readings before you visit Cahokia.
Spend at least two hours in the museum, and then spend some time walking around the grounds. Make sure you climb Monk's Mound and take in the view! During your visit, record observations such as: When was Cahokia occupied? What was the town layout? Who lived at Cahokia? What were their houses like? How did they heat their houses? What kind of tools did they use? What kind of dishes did they use? How did they cook? What did the people eat? How did they store their food? Did they have pets? What was their social structure like? Their family organization? Their religion? How many people lived there, and what natural resources did they use?
For each observation you record (and DO come up with some besides the list above) make sure you also record how we know this. In other words, the museum presents interpretations of the archaeological record. Be sure to record in your notes not only the interpretations, but the archaeological evidence or ethnohistoric evidence for those interpretations. You should make two columns in your field notes: in one column, record your observation (for example, "These people were farmers"), and in the second column, record the archaeological evidence for that observation ("Pieces of charred maize, a domesticated crop, are found in many of the features that have been excavated"). Are other interpretations of this evidence possible? Be sure to write neatly!
You will need a special pass to take writing material into the museum. Ask for this pass at the information desk in the museum lobby.
After you have completed your fieldwork, write a 5-6 page paper on daily life at Cahokia (diet, work, family, etc.). In your paper, provide evidence that you gathered during your fieldwork to support your conclusions. Include information and ideas from class lectures and readings in your paper, using proper citation style. For example, how does Cahokia relate to niche construction? Are there prehistoric groups we discussed in class or you read about in the readings that are similar to Cahokia? Bring up several other ideas from class and relate them to your interpretation of Cahokia.
Option 2: Physical Anthropology
The fieldwork portion of this project will be conducted at the St. Louis Zoo. Be sure to read or re-read the primate-related readings from class before you visit the zoo!
At the primate house in the St. Louis Zoo, spend at least one hour observing the behavior of lion-talked macaques (the mixed sex group, not the group of four males), then spend at least one hour observing the behavior of the white-faced saki monkeys. Record your observations in as much detail as possible – how do they interact with one another? Do any of them come into physical contact? If so, what form of physical contact? Do they appear to interact all as one homogenous group, or are there sub-groups you can distinguish? How many are there? Are some bigger than others? What is their mode of locomotion? Can you determine which sex is which? What are their ecological surroundings? Come up with types of observations other than those listed above on your own. Take a watch with you so you can periodically record the time in your field notes. Be sure to write neatly!
Be sure to make note of the animals' Latin names, the habitat in which the animals live, where the animals are originally from, what they eat, etc. You can get material from the Zoo placards, but be sure to cite this when you use it. You can cite this as (Zoo Placard).
After you have completed your fieldwork, write a 5-6 page paper on a comparative analysis of the behavior of the two species you observed. In your paper, provide evidence that you gathered during your fieldwork to support your conclusions. How did each group behave and interact? Can you determine from your observations how the animals are socially organized? Do you see any relationship between their behavior and reproduction? Include information and ideas from class lectures and readings in your paper, using proper citation style. For example, how does the primate behavior you observed relate to niche construction? Maybe it doesn't relate to niche construction at all? Does the behavior you observed have any implications for the development of human families? Bring up several other ideas from class and relate them to your interpretations.
Option 3: Linguistic Anthropology
This fieldwork is to be conducted on the SIUE campus. Be sure to read or re-read class material concerning linguistic anthropology before you begin the fieldwork.
Spend at least one hour observing the language of students, faculty, or staff in one location on campus, then at least one more hour observing the language of students, faculty, or staff in a significantly different location. Appropriate locations would be dining areas, entrances to classroom buildings, the benches in the basement of Peck Hall, etc. The library is probably not such a good choice, because conversations are discouraged there.
You may wish to focus on non-verbal language (gestures and body language), since you might inhibit conversation if it appears that you are "eavesdropping". You can also inform your subjects that your are listening to their conversation for an assignment. You may concentrate on students, of faculty, or staff, or some combination for comparison purposes. take a watch with you so that you can periodically record the time in your field notes. Keep a detailed log of observations: What are people talking about, and how do they talk about it? Does most of the information seem to be presented in verbal form? Is there a great deal of non-verbal communication? Do different individuals have different ways of communicating with one another?
After you have completed your fieldwork, write a 5-6 page paper analyzing the conversations and exchanges you observed. Compare and contrast the grammar, vocabulary, body language, paralanguage, etc. that you observed. Did you observe differences in communication based on gender, age, ethnic group? Do faculty, students, and staff have different ways of communicating with one another? Was the communication in the first location significantly different from the communication in the second? Include information and ideas from class lectures and readings in your paper, using proper citation style.
Option 4: Cultural Anthropology
This fieldwork is to be conducted at one of the religious institutions below, as long as it is a denomination or sect that is not your own. Contact information is listed for each institution – call them before you attend to let them know you will be there, and see if you can set up an interview with one of the attendees. Be sure to read or re-read class material concerning religion and related topics before you begin your fieldwork.
Attend at least one religious service at the institution you have chosen, and keep a log of the service. Observe the structure of the service, what is said, who said it, how people are dressed, what objects (if any) they use, etc. Record your observations in as much detail as possible. After the service, interview at least one of the participants about what took place during the service and what it meant to them. Ask your informant to tell you about the history of the institution, and what the members are like. Be sure to be polite – you can participate in the service if you and your contact at the institution are comfortable with this, but it is not necessary.
When you've finished with the fieldwork, write a 5-6 page paper analyzing the religious service you observed. For example, do you notice any relationship between the style of the service and the socioeconomic status of the church members? Are the members a diverse group, or do they all share some sort of similar background (besides their religious faith)? Was the service solely a spiritual event, or did it also serve a social function? Did the interview with the participant give you any new insights that you didn't get from your observation of the service? Compare what you found with your own beliefs – whatever they may be. Include information and ideas from class lectures and readings in your paper, using proper citation style.
Religious institutions you may visit for this project are listed below. Note that this contact information may be out-dated. If so, you can find current contact information in the phone book or on-line.
Bahai's of Edwardsville Local Spiritual Assembly
P.O. Box 545
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618-656-9998
Mosque Islamic Education Center
4525 Old Collinsville Rd
PO Box 23274
Swansea, IL
618-222-9055
Temple Israel
609 W Delmar Ave
PO Box 5068
Alton, IL
618-466-4641
Hindu Temple of St Louis
725 Weidman Rd
Ballwin, MO
636-230-3300
