Posted: March 5th, 2016

describe and analyze a media audience activity that you observe (and/or interview) in person

This assignment requires you to describe and analyze a media audience activity that you observe (and/or interview) in person. Ethnography is the method of research in which the researcher is close to the subject of study; observes (everyday) acts and events; takes notes, participates in the action; and even conducts interviews/conversations to gather ‘data’. You may choose any ‘site’ for your research (for example, a subway ride observation of mobile/media use, an evening with friends binge watching Netflix, an online fan club chat session or twitter exchange etcetera). Begin by stating the place and time of your fieldwork. Then describe the scene, including remarks on people’s appearance and behavior; and your ‘positionality’ as the participant-observer/ethnographer. Thirdly, describe what you have learned from that scene about media use and audience group.