Your assignment is to conduct ethnographic observations of how new media (mobile phones, WiFi, Computers, PDAs, music players, etc) influences social interactions in public/semi-public spaces (if they do at all!). The course instructor will assign you to observe either 30th Street Station or Starbucks at Centre Square (1500 Market Street). Spend a total of 5 hours (two 2½ hour observation periods over two days Mon-Fri) at your assigned location. All observations must be conducted between 8:00am and 8:00pm. You may visit the field site with a classmate, but observations and notes must be made independently. Follow the guidelines in the course handout on how to conduct observations and take notes.
In preparation for your ethnographic work, note taking, and reporting, you make find guidance in the following readings, they are strongly recommended:
Schensul, Stephen. Jean Schensul, and Margaret LeCompte. (1999). Essential Ethnographic Methods. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press. Pp 91-120.
Write a blog posting (1250-2000 words) discussing your findings. You are free to explore any theme(s) based on the course material related to the question: “How does new media change social interaction in public spaces?” Discuss your observations in relation to the course readings. Your blog post is due by 1:30pm on October 31. A copy of the assignment handout and readings can be found on Blackboard.