Reference no: EM132457956

FIELDWORK OPTION A: Analysis of Children's Clothing

• Go to a local department store to gather data. Walk through the toddler clothing departments and take careful note of the differences in clothing available for boys and girls. The most obvious dissimilarity is that girls wear skirts and dresses and boys don't. But what about contrasts in style, color, prints, and texture of the fabrics - are there any differences in the way the clothes are decorated? In accessories? Do any major themes emerge in the comparisons of the clothing? You should address the following questions:

Question 1: What sorts of messages about masculinity and femininity come across subtly (or not so subtly) through the clothing?

Question 2: How might these clothes reflect and affect our cultural beliefs about boys and girls?

You should write a paper about your observations, explaining how your findings relate to the topics discussed in the readings and in class (particularly the readings on socialization and culture).

• Your paper should be about 750-1,000 words. Turn in your detailed fieldnotes along with your paper.

FIELDWORK OPTION B: Social Class in the Supermarket

• Go to a supermarket in one of the more affluent areas of town, and then visit a supermarket in one of the poorest sections of town. (Note: you must actually visit the stores for this assignment, even if you have been there before. You will miss a great deal if you simply rely upon your memory.) On your notepad, make detailed observations about the condition of the stores. Although you are free to observe whatever details you think are important, at a minimum you should address the following questions:

Question 1: How is the cleanliness of the stores?

Question 2: How is the politeness of the employees?

Question 3: Are there security guards or visible security systems? If so, what are they like, and how do you think their presence (or lack of!) affects the customers' mental states?

Question 4: What range of items is available in the store? For example, do they sell only canned goods, or do they also have produce, dairy, toiletries, hardware, videotape rentals, etc.?

Question 5: What are the prices like? Compare the prices on several identical items.

Question 6: How fresh are the produce, fruits, vegetables, milk, and meat?

Question 7: What other things do you observe that differentiate the social class statuses of the neighborhoods in which the stores are located?

• For this project, you should be creative and observant. Draw from the readings (particularly the chapter on social class, although you may find some useful information in the race/ethnicity chapter as well). Present your findings about social class in a sociological manner (that is, you should use important and relevant sociological terms to describe your findings).

• Your paper should be about 750-1,000 words. Turn in your detailed fieldnotes along with your paper.

FIELDWORK OPTION C: Race on Primetime Television

• In recent years, some critics have claimed that people of color are not very visible on primetime television - and when they are, they are not often presented in positive roles. Watch a sample of primetime shows for one week (you should watch at least 5 hours of primetime television on the major networks) and systematically keep track of the race of the characters, as well as the ways they are portrayed. (Note: you will actually have to watch television and take notes for this assignment - do not rely upon your memory of these T.V. shows. If you rely on your memory, you will miss a great deal.) Before starting this assignment, you will have to decide what "primetime" means (be sure to explain this in your paper). You will also need to figure out how to gauge someone's "race" (you will need to explain this in your paper as well). In your paper, you should address the following:

Question 1: How many characters of the different races were portrayed?

Question 2: How important were the different characters to the plot/storyline?

Question 3: How were the characters portrayed - positively or negatively; stereotypical or unstereotypical? What were their roles? What did they do?

• Be descriptive. Present your findings in a sociological manner (that is, you should use important and relevant sociological terms to describe your findings).
• Your paper should be about 750-1,000 words.