Feb 25 2009
Meghan has been exploring Photosynth technology, which creates 3-D environments from overlapping photographs. She used the Microsoft Live Labs application to create a photosynth of Kelly House.
To view her synth visit http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=ed4f0d5c-102f-468d-8f20-5e5e67313007
Feb 25 2009
I have spent countless hours laboring in trying to find my “ideal” research topic. At the beginning of the semester I was so focused on trying to do my research on the Deaf and hearing impaired. However as time went on I became aware of how ignorant I was in the deaf culture and hearing impaired. Doing many hours of topic research led me to nothing in particular that I could focus on. This has caused me great strife and agony. Also I have taken on a partner that has become interested in the broad topic of the Deaf and hearing impaired. I have now come to the conclusion that I can not, take on the topic of Deaf and the hearing impaired for my research. This comes to me at a great cost because I have stumbled through half of a semester trying to focus on a topic that does not have my heart. I now choose to do my research on video gaming culture of college students.
This new topic actually has presence in my life since both my older brother and younger brother are avid gamers. This idea didn’t really come to me until I was in the Office of Financial Services at the College of Charleston. The article was talking about how famous men are avid gamers and how they receive ridicule from mainstream culture because video games are a “boys” activity. This to me was of great importance because I realized just how important video games are to American culture, and more importantly, how great their influence is on “boys” my age. I can remember back to the age of about six years and watching my older brother playing on Atari and associated games with that system. Following a time line from six years of age to my age now, I am seeing the importance of video games and the culture associated thereof. Keeping up the neighbor mentality set in and my brothers and I had to keep up with the gaming system and associated games with those systems that were most popular. But this is no separate incident. Boys, and their parents, all over America and abroad had to keep up with the most popular game and gaming system. Thus the great “race for the moon” of the gaming systems began and it has never been the same since.
Gaining entrée to the gaming community shouldn’t be that hard of a task since I have been in and out of it since childhood. However I do not own any gaming systems and have not played video games in quite sometime. This does not hinder me from gaining entrance however because the gaming community is very open and friendly. This research can begin as of right now because I know a great number of video gamers and getting into the culture of video gaming only requires you to buy the respective gaming system and game. Also although the gaming community is rather splintered, that does not mean one can not gain access to a particular niche of gaming community. An example would be if you are an X-box 360tm owner or a Sony Play-Stationtm owner and do not own the other that does not mean that you can not gain access to the gaming community. All you must do is have a gaming system and a game.
The physicality of my research site will not change because my site will be the gaming community and associated gaming equipment. If it does change it wouldn’t be the community itself, but rather the means to join the community through a different gaming system. This site will allow me to do a great deal of participant observation of varying degrees, unobtrusive observation, and interviews using both audio and written.
I truly think I have found a topic that will not only shine light on the gaming community, but also give an insight to a culture that is not fully understood. To be a gamer is to be a “boy” or a “girl” in a grown up world. Through this research however, I hope to show that even “grown” and “responsible” people play video games and lead a mainstream American life.
Some sample questions:
How long have you been playing video games? What was it like to play video games growing up? Did your parents buy you your system and games b/c it was what you wanted or did you tell your parents thats what you wanted b/c your friends had it? What games did you play growing up and which one was your favorite? least favorite? How often do you play? What kind of games do you play? What system do you use? Which system do you find superior? Which system has the best games? Do you play with friends? if so, how often?
Second Set of questions will focus on just this semester thus far.
What games if any have you purchased this semester? How many hours on average this semester have you spent playing video games? Do you think that playing video games effects any aspect of your daily life? Has playing video games changed how you view the world? Do you as a person think that playing video games helps or hinders you? If either, both, or neither why so? do you think you will continue to play video games when you finish college? How about when you get married? Have Kids?
Set 3 questions will be a follow up of remainding questions from Set 2.
All Interviews will be done in both audio and written “fast” note style.
-Byron_
Feb 25 2009
Posted by Robyn
I am not sure yet whether my project is going to concentrate more on the facial expressions during storytelling or on what it is like growing up hearing in a deaf family. Here are some questions for both topics:
1. What was it like for you growing up hearing in a deaf family?
2. How do you think your experiences growing up in two separate cultures has affected you?
3. What kind or role does storytelling play in deaf culture?
-Do you find deaf storytelling or hearing storytelling more expressive?
4. What misconceptions about the deaf would you like to clarify for those who do not know very much about deaf culture.
****If anyone can think of any more questions let me know. What kind of questions would YOU, personally, want to ask a hearing person who grew up in a deaf household?
Feb 25 2009
Field-site Selection
I chose to do my research on Deaf culture, more specifically, storytelling in Deaf
culture. At first, I wanted to do research on something involving medicine like EMT or
nursing. However, as I thought about it more, I realized that it would be very difficult to
actually carry out any of the research. I would not have been able to film or take any
pictures in a hospital or doctors office if I did nursing. Even though I found a way to be
able to go on ride-alongs on an ambulance, I still would not be allowed to film or take
pictures of anything other than the actual ambulance and the EMT’s outside of work.
Last year I took a language and culture class with Dr. Weissman. An entire section of the
class focused on deaf culture and she even brought in two lectures from the deaf
community. The little that I learned on deaf culture in that class really stuck with me and
I even looked into learning ASL. So, when I saw that Byron was interested in deaf
culture I decided to change my research topic and partner with him.
Deciding what to focus my research on was less difficult than choosing the broad
topic. One of the lecturers that Dr. Weissman brought into our class was a deaf man. I
noticed that when he would tell us stories or just sign to us, he was very animated. Even
without the translator, you could still understand the general idea of the story. I would
even say that he was a better storyteller than most hearing people I know. So, when it
came time to focus my research on a more specific topic I knew right away that I wanted
to do something concerning storytelling, body gestures, and/or facial expressions of the
deaf.
I e-mailed Dr. Weissman about the lecturers she brought into class to see if they
would be interested in helping me with my research. Byron contacted a friend of Dr.
Quinn’s whose parents are deaf and whose daughter wears a cochlear implant. She said
that she would be more than willing to help us with our research and we are meeting with
her this week. This is perfect for us because our contact is actually hearing and she
knows ASL so she can translate for us. It is going to be strange, at first, communicating
with someone who can not hear what I am saying, but I think that having someone there
who can translate for me will ease the transition in becoming more comfortable. Also,
we have more than one deaf person to interview and observe telling stories. However, I
am not sure if we should continue with the Dr. Weissman’s contacts or is Byron’s
contact will be enough for our research.
I of course hope to learn a lot about my research topic but I actually hope to learn
a lot more. I am excited about learning a little ASL. I am also excited to just learn about
and be able to observe the normal everyday life of a deaf person, a hearing person raised
in a deaf household, and a person with a cochlear implant.
-Robyn
Feb 25 2009
posted by Paul
Background
When you listen to music, especially jazz, you become emerged in a complex and layered communication. My primary focus is going to decipher the language of jazz. I may go about this in a few ways. First, I’m going to compare learning to play jazz to language acquisition. This involves interviewing musicians about their experiences in learning, exploring questions like innate vs. learned ability, proficiency, and fluency. I’m also going to look at the different styles of jazz (there are many being played in Charleston) as different dialects or accents within the language. Jazz is an inherently eclectic music, and it would be interesting to sift out some of the cultural underpinnings of jazz performers and their preferred style of jazz. Also, what are the musicians expressing or attempting to express through their music? What does this say about the jazz culture and spirit, and do they feel their communication is effective or that their language is adequate?
Additionally, I’d at the language and of jazz on a more tangible level. This includes analyzing communication of jazz musicians, both amongst each other and between the audience, examining proxemics, inaudible communication, and the influence of the jam space.
Lastly, it would be interesting to see how the jazz language has coped with technological change. The creation of new ‘words’ aka new musical concepts, techniques, and abilities could be examined. Has jazz lost its heritage or has it redefined itself to stay relevant in a world of unthinkable technological advancement?
Some sample interview questions
(I’m open to ideas and suggestions)
Fieldsite Selection
My participant-observation field site for the semester is a bar and music venue called Voodoo in West Ashley. Although it is known for hosting a variety of music, it is known for its unique atmosphere and is a good spot to experience a more raw and improvisational style of jazz.
The setting is ideal for my research. It is only a short drive away, and I have reliable transportation so it should not be a problem. Jazz is played on the weekends, which are open for me this semester. The venue is comfortable and has good ambiance. From my first few visits, I can tell it is a popular spot and draws a diverse crowd. Anyone from college students, young professionals, and older people pack in to hear the tunes. The venue is interesting in that it is divided in two, with an area for the music and the bar on the other side. The contrast is funny, as atmosphere is so much different on either side of the wall.
The demographic mixture of the people to me is a good sign. I’m looking at this as an opportunity to get different viewpoints, perspectives, and opinions in my interviews. At the same time it is slightly intimidating approaching people I across racial or generational gaps especially if I do not know them. However, I’m sure this will get easier as time goes on and I get more comfortable in the field. I don’t think I will have any problem psychologically accessing the venue and its people. Jazz is played on Saturday nights, which seems to be a well known fact to even casual observers of the Charleston music scene. Like many venues around the city, they have their designated night for jazz, featuring different bands and styles from week to week.
Conducting field work should be pretty viable in this setting. There is a good amount of seating, open space, and room to move about and set up and relocate if necessary. I think this is definitely possible to carry out in an unobtrusive manner. Conducting interviews with the musicians may initially difficult, as they have their priorities. Nonetheless, video, picture taking, and interviews should be fine. Participant observation is one thing I would absolutely love to engage in. Just being in attendance and listening and reacting to the music is participant observation in a sense. However, I would actually like to play or simply jam with some jazz musicians. I have been playing guitar and bass guitar for the better part of a decade, and I think it would be a learning experience to engage in jazz culture. This too can be intimidating because these musicians are so skilled and talented.
In terms of gaining entrée and special access to the music world, I have spoke with several people. A few students in our class have been kind enough to hook me up with their friends through the college that play throughout the city. I’ve also talked with half a dozen or so owners of restaurants/bars that host jazz. I’ve explained my project and they seem interested and willing to help. I’ve also met a few avid jazz fans at Voodoo, who gave me some great insight into the Charleston jazz scene and just jazz as a whole. These folks may prove to be my most valuable and reliable source of information.
Note: there are literally dozens of venues in Charleston and surrounding areas that host jazz. Astoundingly, I have yet to find one place dedicated to exclusively playing jazz. Also, due to the number of places and scheduling of the music, I have not made it to every venue. This should be accomplished in about a week’s time. I’ve heard people raving about this club or that club, so it should be interesting to if I can find that one amazing place that is even better than Voodoo in terms of music, vibe, and accommodation.
If anyone knows of any cool venues or has connections in the Charleston jazz world please let me know, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone has any suggestions or ideas regarding my project I’m welcoming any and all feedback
Feb 24 2009
My semester-long research project will be an ethnography of ghost-storytelling culture in Charleston, South Carolina, and the surrounding areas (namely, Georgetown and Pawleys Island). The fieldsite will include the major cultural vehicles through which ghost stories are conveyed. The popular tourist-targeting ghost walks or tours will be one significant site, where I will get a sense of how a historic cultural staple has evolved to fit the cultural needs of today’s Charlestonian (or tourist). For an account of the traditional oral accounts of ghost stories, my fieldsite will encompass encounters with members of the older generations of the lowcountry. Interviews with these important informants will, I hope, enable me to gain a sense of how ghost stories were told, heard, understood, and thought about generations ago. These two main components of my fieldsite should enable me to view the evolution of ghost storytelling culture in the area, and give me multiple perspectives on the social relevance of the tradition.
Ghost storytelling is a well-known tradition in the American South, especially in the Charleston area. In fact, the city of Georgetown, about an hour from Charleston, is known as the most haunted city in America. Despite this enormous cultural presence, the tradition has not been thoroughly examined academically within this particular context – that is, the history of the Charleston.
Charleston is a city which has been on the “front lines” of trade, cultural change, and political upheaval in America. Most of the African slaves traded into the early American economy passed through the port of Charleston. Ghost storytelling is in many ways one of the legacies of this historical reality. Therefore, my research will aim to identify the relationship between today’s ghost story culture and the historical cultural influences of a huge African presence in South Carolina hundreds of years ago. This research I will apply to my observations (through library research, interviews, and participant observation in the field) on modern race relations in Charleston, as seen through ghost storytelling. I think that this social subject is extremely worthy of examination, and I think to do it through the medium of such an intimate, personal tradition of storytelling will be particularly effective and illuminating.
The fieldsite should be accessible for my needs. Ghost tours occur weekly, and in some cases, daily. Employees of these businesses should be available for interviews as well. I expect a friend of my family, “Doc” Lachicotte, of Pawleys Island, to be my most valuable older-generation informant. Doc has lived in Pawleys his whole life, and as the area’s most successful realtor, he has a lot of clout in the community, and a lot of contacts who will be helpful in my research. He has generously agreed to help me, and will be a very important gatekeeper for my research.
I expect to use video and audio recording, as well as still photography, in my research. Storytelling is a performance, and I expect to gain a lot of insight into the field from the body language of my informants. The ghost tours should be especially visually stimulating. I will also be able to engage in participant observation during tours, as I will be a paying customer of the tour-giver. I look forward to observing the tour-giver/storytelling as well as the other individuals on the tour (hopefully, with these tour participants’ agreement, I will be able to distribute questionnaires after the tour which participants will mail back to me, with some of their responses and reactions to the ghost tour they just experienced).
An additional resource which I believe will be very illustrative of ghost storytelling’s historical trends and characteristics is the voluminous collections of ghost story anthologies from the region. These publications are most often authored by non-academic individuals, and can be fascinating subjective snapshots of the most popular stories and the social perspectives that inform them.
I expect this project to really dissect the ghost story of Charleston, and identify some of the historical social realities that informed them, and led them to their prominent position in southern culture today. Please see the attached for a working list of sources that will inform this research.
Feb 23 2009
We have been talking about how ethnography is rarely “value free.” Neither is ethnographic film.
Take a look at “Night Mail” and ask how this film might have been different had it been made independently rather than having been funded by “interested” parties.
Feb 23 2009
Here we have one of the first documentary films that features “interviewing.” Do you think the interviewees are “natural”? This is also a good opportunity to begin to deal with issues of representation. How is the subject of housing treated? How are the interviewees themselves treated? Do you think this film violates modern-day ethical standards as promulgated by the IRB? What is the value of looking at this kind of footage today?
Feb 23 2009
I will begin the process of posting some classic documentary footage available for viewing both in and out of class. I hope students will view these materials for ideas about how ethnographic filmmakers worked (and work) their craft. Here is a classic that gives an idea of the use of “voiceover” and the “authorial” stance of the narrator. What do you think of both Basil Wright’s footage and the other techniques he uses?
Feb 23 2009
Some of you have mentioned using the Flip cams to get your audio for Wednesday. Remember that the Flip camera records to a video format, specifically .avi, rather than audio. This won’t be useful for your class on Wednesday, at least not as is.
You can, however, use MediaConverter.org to convert the file from .avi to an audio format for class Wednesday (.wav is probably best for starting with in Audacity):
http://www.mediaconverter.org/index.php
Go to the Convert tab to upload a file and start the conversion process. Note that the conversion will take a few minutes.
Jerry
