Culture Journal

Here is a copy of the culture journal project:
Culture Journal
Due Date: Thursday, February 28th
200 points possible

Objective: To become culturally observant of common, everyday places and events and to distinguish between folk and pop culture.

Materials: spiral notebook, pencils

Directions: For the next two weeks, write down observations, draw pictures, sketch maps, etc. of places within the sphere where you live, work, play, go to school, shop, etc.

Requirements:
Ø Written and sketched observations of 10 different places contained in a spiral notebook
* one must be your neighborhood
* one must be a mall or other shopping area
* one must be a fast food restaurant
* one must be an entertainment area (theater, bowling alley, sporting event, work out facility, etc.)
* the other six places are your choice
Ø Each entry must be dated and identified as to type of place and location.
Ø Each entry must indicate the time of observation, including starting time, finishing time, and duration.
Ø Each entry should include a sketch of the place(s) observed. Photos may be substituted for drawings if preferred.
Ø Each entry should include a summary/reflection of the experience highlighting the most interesting observations. The reflection should include comments on elements of both folk and pop culture observed at the particular place.

To qualify for a B grade, you must meet all the requirements and spend at least 10 minutes at each place and list 10 observations for each place. Observations should be varied.

Suggestions for places to observe: parks, bookstores, Wal-Mart, restaurants, churches, recreation areas, dry cleaners, Dr. or Dentist offices, shopping areas, grocery stores, schools, bus stops, museums, town squares, pet stores, phone stores, post office, parking lots, cemeteries, Target, Home Depot…..the list is endless!!

Things to watch for: flow of customers in and out, ages of people, clothing style, transportation, communication, activities, advertising, architecture, colors, natural or man-made features, interactions among people, greetings, social behavior, placement of facilities, relative location, languages spoken, evidence of folk or pop culture, foods eaten, manners, tools or technology used…..everything you see, smell, hear, taste, touch.

Hint: Take your notebook everywhere! You never know when a routine trip may turn out to be a cultural observation opportunity!