Mini-Ethnography Assignment

							                                                                         Anth 301 Spring 2006
                                                                             Interview Project
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Interview Project

An ethnography is a rich account made by an anthropologist of a fieldwork experience
s/he has had. Many anthropologists take years to participate, observe, interview, and
collect data in other ways to better understand a particular topic of interest. In studying
different forms of health care an anthropologist may become a type of apprentice to a
‘healer’ and learn from her or him methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention. In
writing the ethnography of this experience, the anthropologist describes and analyzes the
meaning of this healing system within a wider context of influencing variables (i.e.
political economy, gender, etc.).

In this assignment you are the anthropologist emerging yourself into learning about the
life of a healer (curandero/a, medicine person, physician, herbalist, etc.), including how
she or he diagnoses illness, recommends preventative methods, and treats existing illness.

We will spend one class time early in the semester meeting with the librarian who will set
up a personalized website to assist you in developing your research plan, interview guide
and bibliography. You will be responsible for completing the following components of
this assignment:

Research Plan (5%)
You will design a reasonable research plan for this assignment in which you clearly
outline how you will conduct this project: What type of healer will you contact?
Location? When will you contact this person? How often will you speak with the healer?
What will be the focus of your inquiry? Etc. This is your opportunity to be an
anthropologist for a semester and investigate an aspect of healing that we may not have
enough time to cover in class. Your research proposal is due 3/8 and must be typed, 11-
12 pt font, 1-2 pages single spaced.

Interview Guide (5%)
Initially, when anthropologists and other social scientists interview people, they prepare
an interview guide that will help shape the conversations they have and the information
they receive from research participants. Perrone et al. presents a useful model for the
ethnography and relevant interview questions. You are required to create and use your
own interview guide to elicit information around a set of topics you plan to investigate.
Your interview guide is due 3/8 and must be typed, 11-12 pt font, minimum of 15
questions.

Bibliography (5%) Due 3/8
Placing your research in context (Who else has done similar research? What theories
exist about what you’re investigating? Etc.) is essential in any investigative endeavor.
You are required to cite a minimum of 6 outside sources. Assistance will be provided by
the librarian.
                                                                        Anth 301 Spring 2006
                                                                            Interview Project
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Presentation (5%)
Part of the joy of conducting research is being able to share your findings with others.
You will design a 10 minute presentation focusing on an aspect that you particularly
found to be important within the context of understanding the healing system you
investigate, including the role of the healer in the healing process. You must e-mail the
instructor your presentation topic 2 weeks prior to your assigned presentation date to
receive approval. You are encouraged to be as creative as possible with this segment of
the assignment.

Field/Interview Notes (5%)
As any good anthropologist knows, it is fundamental to take notes of interview and other
ethnographic activity. You are required to take notes while you conduct your interview
in addition to taking notes before and after all encounters you have with the healer you
interview. Anytime you have an idea or remember something you did not write down
during your interview or another encounter with the healer, you are to write it down here.
A simple spiral bound notebook is fine to use and is due 4/10.

Final Paper (10%) Due 4/10
This is the final product of all your hard work where you synthesize bibliographic
material (i.e. library research) with your own research activities, including interview(s)
and field/interview notes. Your final paper is due 4/10 and must be typed, double-space,
11-12 pt font, 8-10 pages maximum.