To: tkubal@csufresno.edu
Sent: Sunday, March 9, 2014 9:06:27 PM
Subject: [Qualitative Methods] Participant Observation
Jordan Franco
Participant Observation Paper -756 words
On March 4th 2014 I participated in a protest around campus. During this activity, I paid close attention to the aspects of the event that I will now record as an experiment in observation. The space of this event was the university campus. We began in the center of campus, and eventually made our way almost entirely along its border. The boundaries were basically the boundaries of the entire pedestrian campus. We were outdoors, which greatly affected the actions of the participants. Objects of the environment included our signs and the structures of the area we were active in. Our signs were paper on wooden handles. They consisted of a wide array of slogans, statistics, and otherwise eye-catching handwritten messages. Throughout our environment were walkways, buildings, and vehicles that determined our course. The actors of this event were primarily students and some faculty. Other actors included all those who witnessed our march and either actively engaged us or remained silent onlookers. The people involved were of many different ages, races, etc. We were a very blended crowd, as is typical on a college campus. We were all dressed casually, with the exception of Dr. Jendian in particular, who was wearing his typical work clothes of khakis and a dress shirt. All the students were wearing t-shirts, jeans, shorts, etc. Our activity was mainly our march around campus. We constructed or selected our signs, and then waited for the march to begin. When we began, we walked at a steady pace along our course. Conversations were had, signs were waved and raised, and messages were even shouted to the witnesses. Some of the participants were quieter, but as the march proceeded, most became vocal in some way. The events of the march followed the timeline of gathering before the march, collecting signs and preparing to set out, making a track around the campus, and returning to the meeting place to end the march. The interesting interactions of this event included how everyone seemed a bit nervous or unsure, but once the crowd gathered and everyone realized their common goal, we all became more comfortable with the experience. We cooperated with one another by walking together, grouping up based on protest categories, and conversing with one another. We competed with the onlookers by interrupting their thoughts and trying to involve them in the march. We also competed with some of the witnesses, particularly those in cars on Shaw Ave, by shouting back at them when they shouted at us. The time of this march was March 4th, 2014 from roughly 2pm to 2:45pm. It began as we gathered around Dr. Kubal and the tables near the free speech area. It ended after we had circled the campus and returned back to this spot to sign out and relinquish our protest signs. The goal of those involved in this situation was to participate in the march, whether out of sheer interest or the desire for extra credit, it is hard to tell. Our other goals were to have our messages heard and read. We accomplished these by waving our banners and repeating our message. Obstacles to this goal were distance from onlookers and the overall mayhem of a busy college campus. Emotions during the march were varied. As mentioned, many (including myself) were nervous and hesitant to participate. As we grouped up and became unified, the feelings were eased. At times were we excited and thrilled to be involved in such a blatantly norm-breaking behavior. Onlookers seemed very curious and compelled to figure out what the commotion was about. Lastly, the talk consisted of nervous chatter to begin with. There were a lot of questions raised about what we'd be doing, what the signs were about, who was holding which signs, etc. As we marched, the talk consisted of shouting one's cause or message, as well as encouraging other students to join the march. Other conversations between the participants included topics related to class. Many asked how we'd receive credit and what we'd have to write about. After the event, the talk was excited and celebratory. Everyone seemed glad to have participated and was on a bit of a high from the involvement in such an out of the ordinary affair.
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Posted By kubal to Qualitative Methods at 3/09/2014 09:06:00 PM
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