Participant Observation

First, you will conduct an observation of social interaction in a public setting (e.g., coffee
shop, bus station, supermarket, shopping mall, library, hair salon, bar, food court) and
this includes taking field notes while in the setting. You must choose a space that you do
not frequently visit so that you are seeing things with a fresh perspective.
Secondly, you will then write a report which presents a sociological analysis of the
interactions which you have observed. This means your sociological task is to find
meaning in what people in this particular space are doing. Use your imagination and
your insight to interpret the behaviors you observe. Recall Peter Bergers article from
Module One on Invitation to Sociology and remember: The world is your laboratory!