8/2/2019 Guidelines for Performance Ethnography

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THF204 Performing Arts in Canada- Performance Ethnography Guidelines

Guidelines for Performance Ethnography

Assignment Goals:For this assignment, students should demonstrate an ability to make visible the ideologies

inscribed within a theatrical event or social performance (we have defined these terms in

class) and critically interpret the implications of those ideologies on our cultural contextin Canada.

Length: Optimum 10 pages, double-spaced (2500 words).

Due Date:Feb 14th 2012 (extensions will only be granted under extraordinary circumstances)

Submission Format: Printed document. You should also submit in original or photocopy other materials that

may be of use: field notes and documents (photographs, audio recordings), sketches,contextual 'ephemeral' material (brochures, announcements, programs, etc).

Template: I have suggested to people that they re-read 'Notes on a Balinese Cockfight' again, note

the three part structure, and use it:

1.  Introduction of the 'ethnographer' and 'project': In 'Notes' this consists of 

the anecdote of the 'raid' and Geertz's accidental integration into the culture. It

very much tells us about his relationship to this culture--his distance from it,his interest in it. It establishes his credentials, not as an 'expert' but as a

trustworthy witness, aware of his own limitations and honest about his own

prejudices (or so I would like to believe). In your case, you might give a

simple statement of your interest in the event, why you chose it, and an'establishing shot' of the event you attended. Of course, if you were involved

in a police raid like Geertz, that could work as well.... You should try to

contextualize your approach to ethnography within the methods discussed in

class (are you a traditional ethnographer looking from ‘above the city’, areyou a new ethnographer who is involved in the project you are ‘viewing’ and

‘walking in it’). Try to make direct reference to one of the readings that

functioned as ‘models’ in the establishment of your approach. Why have youchosen this approach? Why is it the best approach for your project? This

section should run about two pages.

2.  The 'description': Geertz then proceeds to describe in detail the 'event' he

witnessed, an act of creative documentary writing that--of course--is neither

wholly complete nor wholly accurate. But it is an exercise in concise closedescription, no mean feat. Perhaps five pages, but it could be more. It isn't

easy, because this description must establish the means for you to write 3.

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THF204 Performing Arts in Canada- Performance Ethnography Guidelines

3.  The Interpretative Conclusions- Reaching ‘thick description’: Geertz

stops at a certain point, implicitly acknowledging that such a description

might go on for hundreds of pages. He no doubt has that many pages in his

field notes. But at this point, have established the event in detail--let's call itthe 'medium shot'--he then draws from this description and his other notes,

and from his experience overall focuses on a number of significant 'close up

shots' that he believes require further examination. In practice, I believe thesetend to be of two kinds: those things that seem to be essential in order to

define the event; and those things that seem to be aberrations this one time

that make 'the witness' question its role in the event. Here is where youconsider implications. What meanings are loaded and invisible in this event?

Can you make those more visible? Look at that which is 'normalized' and that

which is 'exceptional.' Anticipate anywhere from 3-4 pages to note these

interpretations and conclusions. Here, you should think of the discovery

learning we did at Dundas Sqaure. We moved from the description to the‘thick description’ as we considered the implications of the ‘looking’ we did.

For this assignment, students will receive a mark out of 100. Keep in mind, this

assignment is worth 20% of your overall mark for the course Performing Arts in Canada

The mark breakdown for this assignment is here:(Refer to the ICE rubric handed out for the response assignments to evaluate yourself 

before submission of your assignment).

Critical Thinking: /35

Reasoning: /35

Communication: /30

Total Mark: /100