People engage in observation every day. In Anthropology we try to engage in systematic observation.
Sometimes this is informed by questions and sometimes the question emerges from repeated observations. These are referred to as emic and etic approaches to theory building.
Your assignment is to pick an activity with a clear beginning, middle, and end and to write a detailed observation of that activity.
You want to be as detailed as possible. This activity could be as mundane as observing people buying a cup of coffee, watching a football game (pats next weekend), or how people interact at the Haymarket in comparison to the Boston Public Market (an upcoming assignment). You also want to be aware of trying to make the familiar strange (think the Nacirema)..
You will need to take some time, you will need a notebook, and a comfortable place to sit so you can write down as much detail as possible.
You should at minimum take several pages of detailed notes. After taking notes you will want to write it up in a 2-3 page typed double-spaced text.
Do this as soon as possible after the observation so details you have not written down can come back into your memory and become part of the final observation write-up.
Some things you might observe at opp:
1. People getting lunch
2. One of your classes (be sure to get permission from prof)
3. People gathering in one of the lounges (what do they do and why?)
4. Formal or informal sports event
Some things you might observe outside of Mt
1. A family having dinner
2. Formal or informal sports event
3. A sibling getting ready for their day
4. Any other bounded activity that you can think of