SOC 271 - Urban Ethnography

This course introduces a sociological perspective of everyday social settings by applying methods of systematic, qualitative observation.  Students carry out their own ethnographic research project; conduct observations; write up field notes; record routine, extraordinary, and significant social processes; generate a conceptual “codebook” for use in analysis; and present a suitable research report (both written and oral). Ethical issues and intrapersonal aspects of the research process will be explored.  Anyone who anticipates working in “socially-dense” settings characterized by ongoing interpersonal encounters, including professional and non-profit work, is encouraged to enroll.