So/An 373 – Ethnographic Research Methods Final Papers

One of the requirements for a Sociology/Anthropology major is to take So/An 373 “Ethnographic Research Methods”. Students design and conduct their own research, analyze their results and write an ethnographic research paper of their findings as their final project. Here are the final papers from the past several years.

2012

Collaborative Community-Based Projects:

A Community Approach to Evaluating the Healthfinders' Pura Vida Healthy Lifestyles

Kids Connection Program Analysis

Teen Pregnancy: Community Support in Northfield, Minnesota

The Creative Class Returns to Northfield: Alumni Worker Profile

Campus-based Projects:

Integrating the Liberal Arts, Career, and Vocation: St. Olaf Student, Faculty, and Staff Perceptions and Insights Surrounding the Main Street Project

Oles' Perception of Political Discourse on St. Olaf Campus

Perspectives on Diversity at St Olaf College: An Ethnographic Study

Where Your Best Isn't Good Enough: Perceptions of Mental Health and Overachievement at St. Olaf College

2011

Collaborative Community-Based Projects:

A Strategic Analysis of the Northfield Nonprofit Sector

Bringing Theory to Practice: Academic Civic Engagement at St. Olaf College

The Economic Impact of the Arts in Northfield

Campus-based Projects:

Building Community Through Traditions: Demystifying Identity through Rituals

Invisible Boundaries: Diversity in Student Organizations

Mind, Body, Spirit: Health Perceptions at St. Olaf College

Out of Place: Culture Shock and the Reentry Experience

Reality Check: A Study of Diversity and Integration at St. Olaf College

The Relationship Between Athletics and Student Life at St. Olaf College

2010

Collaborative Community-Based Projects:

Multinational Communities- Understanding the experiences and perceptions of Latinos in Northfield, MN

Local Food Infrastructure-Collaboration with Market Fair

The Economic, Cultural and Social Importance of the Northfield Library for the City Center

Campus-based Projects:

They happen so fast! Deconstructing the Discourse of Relationships at St Olaf College

The Norwegian Ethnic Expression at St. Olaf College

Social Rules and Relationships

Ring by Spring- An Examination of the Actuality and Perception of Young Marriage and Engagements at St. Olaf College

Minnesota Not-So-Nice- Interpersonal Conflict on Campus

How Invisible Are You- An Exploration Between the Divides of Visible and Invisible Social Groups

Getting Help- The Role of the Counseling Center in the Lives of St. Olaf Community Members

Northfield Neighbors

2009

Collaborative Community-based Projects:

The Effects of the Economic Crisis on the Northfield Library and its Booker Bus Program

An Ethnographic Analysis of the Northfield High School TORCH Program

Exploring "At Risk":An Ethnography of an After-School Program Targeting "At-Risk" Elementary School Students in the Rural Upper Midwest

Exploring Senior Altruism in Northfield

A Space to Grow: An Analysis of the Northfield Middle School Youth Center in the Context of Social Capital

A Study of the TORCH Collabrative Northfield Middle School

Campus-based Projects:

An Analysis of Function, Structure, and Hierarchy in the Academic Department

Backstage Pass: The Hidden Culture of Dance Technicians

The Dialogue of Race on the St. Olaf Campus

Gender, Body Image, and Working Out in Tostrud Center

The Great Conversation: Investigating a St. Olaf Tradition

Manifestations of Class at St. Olaf College

The RA and JC Story: A Study of Residence Life at St. Olaf College

Student Perceptions of the St. Olaf Counseling Center

2008

Campus-Based Projects:

Community, Surveillance, and Distinction- A Culture of Food at St. Olaf College

Dorm Drama- An Analysis of First-Year Roommate Relationships at St. Olaf College

Perceptions and Perspectives of Diversity At St. Olaf College

Perceptions of Socioeconomic Class Among Students At St. Olaf College

Sport Culture- Investigating Perceptions of Drinking and Academic Achievement of the Football Team at St. Olaf College

Study of St. Olaf Choir cultures

The Culture of Off-Campus Events

The Political Climate of St. Olaf College

The Social Construction of Depression at St. Olaf College

"Reality" and Rediculousness The Live Action Roleplayer Experience at St. Olaf College

2006

Campus-Based Projects:

The International Student Experience at St. Olaf College

Cafteria Dining at St. Olaf College: Together and Alone

Creating Identity Today: Hmong College Students

Student Perceptions of the St. Olaf Music Community

I Do or Don't: A portrait of Dating at St. Olaf College

St. Olaf College and the overachievement Culture

Other Project:

Interstellar Discussion: Meaning and Identity Among Jandek Fans

2005

Campus-Based Projects:

After Study Abroad: A Study in Personal Development through Study Abroad

Being Out, Ole Style: The GLBT Experience at St. Olaf College

Knowing the “Ins and Outs” of Interaction: How Context Affects Professor-student Relationships at St. Olaf College

Perceptions of Leadership at St Olaf College

Qualitative Research: Multicultural Women’s Experience at St. Olaf College

Senioritis: Myth or Reality

The Needs and Demands of Students as a part of the St. Olaf College Community

The Social and Academic Experience of Male St. Olaf Hockey Players

Community-Based Project:

Colleges, Cows, and Contentment: Perceptions of Northfield, and the College Choice

2004

Campus-Based Projects:

Being Muslim at St. Olaf

Ethnography of the Sociology/Anthropology Department at St. Olaf College

Fight or Flight: Multicultural Student Life at St. Olaf College

Interracial Interaction at St. Olaf: Friendship Groups

The JC Experience

Through the Looking Glass: The Social Behaviors of Christian Students at St. Olaf College


Community-Based Project:

Spheres of the Elderly: Interpreting the Lives of NRC Residents

2003

Campus-Based Projects:

A Land of Golden Girls: Investigation Body Average at St. Olaf

A Whole New World

An Investigation into International Students Friendship Networks at St. Olaf College

Consumption and Spending Patterns at St. Olaf College

Finding God Among Oles: An Exploratory Study of Student Run Religion Organizations on the St. Olaf Campus

Language Houses: Promoting a Multicultural Campus

Life After Popping the Bubble: Reentering into St. Olaf after a Global Semester Abroad

Male St. Olaf College Student Perceptions of Sexual Assault

The Marijuana Community at St. Olaf College - Student Perceptions

Who Can Sit at the Table?

Community-Based Project:

Goals and Dreams of Adolescent Women

2002

Campus-Based Projects:

One Fish or NO Fish? Dating Experiences, St. Olaf College Style

Girls Can Play Too: How Does Title IX Fit in with Athletics at St. Olaf?

Community-Based Projects:

Adult ESL Learners in Northfield: Marginalization and Success

Caffeine and Nicotine: Afternoon and Evening Culture at Goodbye Blue Monday

Community Maintained and Created at the Northfield, Minnesota Post VFW 4393

Experience of Latino Students Attending Northfield High School

Second Language Learners in Northfield Elementary Schools

Other Projects:

New Paradigm of Community. An Alternative Social Space: Mall of America

Workplace Culture

The Internet as a Community

Role of Religion in the Cambodia Immigration Experience

The Acculturation of Cambodian Families of Different Generations