Ethnography of Communication: basic assumptions, research questions, and case studies

I) Based on the review essays of EC and the case studies you read, consider (a) what are these studies asking, and (b) in what ways do they draw on EC?

II) How do the studies you read demonstrate some of the commitments and elements of EC research?

III) Given a particular intellectual interest, how might you pose an ethnographic research question about it?

After considering these questions write an essay that addresses these issues:

1. Identify a research question (RQ) you would like to pursue as an ethnographic research project.

2.  Review and outline some of the main commitments your ethnography would have in order to carry out a study of that research question.  For this part of the essay you should

• Make these commitments of EC specific to your project.  Talk about how you hope to use EC to carry out your particular research interest.  These projections might change, but try to create a general schema for how you might begin to address your question(s).
• Draw on the literature you read for class.  You may also use additional EC literature if you like, but it is not necessary.  But do make sure you use as much of the literature from class as is relevant to your proposed study.  The key here is to demonstrate that you understand the readings we did on EC as a theory and method for studying communication.

3. Finally, you want to address why (or why not) these commitments of EC are both (a) relevant, and (b) important to your particular study.

Essay Requirements:

Approximately 5-7 pages (not including bibliography), double-spaced, 12-point font.  Use APA or MLA for both in-text citations as well as your bibliography. No cover page is necessary, just be sure to write your name on the first page.

I can give more specific instructions.