Practicing Ethnography with Visual Media: A Step-by-Step Assignment Using Downtown Abbey

Abstract

This applied exercise introduces students to the practice of ethnographic analysis through close observation of visual media. Using Downton Abbey as a case study, students learn to produce rich, reflexive field notes, code their observations into central sociological themes and patterns, and transform descriptive detail into analytic writing. By...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Cultural Sociology, Ethnography, Political Sociology, Qualitative Methodology, Research Methods, Teaching and Learning in Sociology

Resource Type(s):

Assignment

Class Level(s):

College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400, High School

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

See attached PDF.

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will be able to apply ethnographic methods to identify, document, and evaluate gender and status dynamics in visual media.
2. Students will be able to produce detailed, vivid, and reflexive ethnographic field notes that effectively document observed social dynamics and provide a foundation for sociological analysis.
3. Students will be able to analyze ethnographic field notes to uncover central sociological themes and patterns related to gender and social status.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate ethnographic writing skills by describing social interactions vividly and analytically.
5. Students will be able to identify the central features, strengths, and limitations of ethnographic analysis for understanding the social world.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students' ability to apply ethnographic methods to evaluate gender and status dynamics will be assessed by their ability to integrate careful observation, pattern identification, and sociological writing across all components of the assignment.
2. Students' ability to write ethnographic field notes will be assessed through handwritten notes and their expanded transcription.
3. Students ability to analyze ethnographic field notes will be assessed through the submission of coded notes identifying key sociological themes and patterns.
4. Students' ability to demonstrate ethnographic writing skills will be assessed through a vivid descriptive paragraph of a chosen scene.
5. Students’ ability to identify the central features, strengths, and limitations of ethnographic analysis will be assessed through a short reflexive essay.