Description
5 PAGE Ethnography Essay on the Subculture of HIPHOP/FASHION
At least five pages in length
• Double spaces
• 12 point font
• Default margin (1” top/bottom. 1”left/right)
I. Introduction:
• Provide a brief description of the Fashion/Hiphop subculture (including the characteristics, attributes, etc. that unite member of this group).
• Introduce your informants (not necessary to include their names, but describe their roles or positions in the subculture and some brief details about them).
II. Worldviews, Ideals and Beliefs:
• Describe some of the worldviews, beliefs, values, attitudes, etc. shared by members of this subculture. Consider whether they share a common way of thinking, philosophy, ideology, religion, etc. (e.g. superstitions,
discrimination, common goals…)
III. Cultural Rule:
• Discuss several examples of this groups’ culture riles, and possible unwritten rules ( this might be harder to uncover, as unwritten rules are those which people don’t really recognize).
• Describe some of the status differences that exist in this subculture, or examples or stratification.
• Discuss any gender-related issues present in this community
IV. Traditions, Rituals and Symbols
• Include detailed descriptions of at least two traditions, rituals or other activities describes by your informants and/or that your observed or participated in.
• If possible discuss a ritual (religious or secular/non-religious) in detail, including an explanation of why it qualifies as a ritual (i.e. what makes it ritualistic in nature?).
• Choose a particular aspect of a ritual/tradition/activity – such as an action, object article of clothing, color etc. – for which you can discover and describe:
o It’s symbolic significance (emic perspective) and the practical reason(s) behind it, or a cultural materialist explanation for it (etic perspective). Choose an action, object , piece of clothing, color, etc.
V. Communication:
• Consider whether this subculture used specialized terminology, codes, jargon or slang that is unique to this group. If so provided several examples with a brief description of each. OR:
• If this subculture uses a dialect of English, provide some detailed examples and description.
• Explain how style shifting is used in this subculture and provide some detailed examples
• Describe at least one example of kinesics (non-verbal communication) you observed.
VI. Conclusion:
• Briefly provide a description of this subculture using an etic perspective. Think about ‘’outsides’’ view this group, their traditions, cultural rules, beliefs and/or ways of speaking (positive or negative).
• Use cross-cultural comparison, to compare and contrast one or more aspects of this subculture to mainstream American culture (or a subculture to which you belong). Describe some of the similarities and differences between the two groups.
• Discuss the importance of practicing Cultural Relativism when studying, observing and learning about a culture that is different from your own.
