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Field Trip Activity

This assignment asks students to visit a space in order to practice the type of observation and analysis needed to complete the first three major projects for ENG101.  The first project asks students to analyze the ways in which the physical space of that place influences and is influenced by the social practices and activities that occur there.  The second project asks students to return to that space to conduct research into the multiple and competing histories of the space.   The third project asks students to consider the various values, practices, and beliefs currently operating in relation to the space.

Find a space that you think is interesting or that you enjoy. It could be a coffee shop, the MU, a park, etc. You will be spending approximately 45 minutes in this space, so you may want to find a spot where you can sit comfortably.  Today your assignment is to practice recording what you see and hear as you remain in one place.  Below are some suggestions to help you take notes. 

1) Describe everything you see using enough detail that someone else can visualize the space from your words.

2) Copy (verbatim) a portion of a conversation you hear.  Try and capture the sounds of the words.  Incorporate the body language or any other visual descriptions that may bring the words alive.

3) Speculate about why some people come to this space and others do not.  Who is here and why are they here?  Who might be interested in reading more about this space?  What information would interest these readers?  What would be the rhetorical purpose for writing such a piece?

4) Consider the histories of the space.  How do you think it transformed into the way it is today?  Why do you think so?

5) Do you see any unspoken rules or codes operating in this space?  How would you describe the culture?  How is this culture different here from other places?

Then, describe this place based on your notes in a message on WebBoard without giving the name of the place. We will try to guess where and what the place is you described.