SOAN 373 – Ethnographic Research Methods Final Papers
One of the requirements for a Sociology/Anthropology major is to take SOAN 373 “Ethnographic Research Methods”. Students design and conduct their own small-group 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.
2013
Collaborative Community-Based Projects:
Mind the Gap – Volunteering for HealthFinders Collaborative
Farming Sustainably in Northfield – Community Dynamics and Motivations
Campus-based Projects:
Stress and the First-Year Experience
Perceptions of Community – Understanding the St. Olaf Experience
Family and Community at St. Olaf College
Call Me, Maybe? – Student-Parent Value Differences and its Effects on their Communication
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:
Oles’ Perception of Political Discourse on St. Olaf Campus
Perspectives on Diversity at St. Olaf College: An Ethnographic Study
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:
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
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: Attitudes and Beliefs about St. Olaf
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 Senior Altruism in Northfield
A Study of the TORCH Collaborative 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
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
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 Ridiculousness: The Live Action Roleplayer Experience at St. Olaf College
2005
Campus-Based Projects:
After Study Abroad: A Study in Personal Development
Being Out, Ole Style: The GLBT Experience at St. Olaf College
Perceptions of Leadership at St. Olaf College
Multicultural Women’s Experience at St. Olaf College
Senioritis: An Analysis of the Senior Experience at St. Olaf College
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:
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
Through the Looking Glass: The Social Behaviors of Christian Students at St. Olaf College
Spheres of the Elderly: Interpreting the Lives of NRC Residents
2003
Campus-Based Projects:
Consumption and Spending Patterns at St. Olaf College
The Marijuana Community at St. Olaf College
Community-Based Project:
Goals and Dreams of Adolescent Women
2002
Campus-Based Projects:
Community-Based Projects:
Adult ESL Learners in Northfield
Caffeine & Nicotine
The Experience of Latino Students Attending Northfield High School
Second Language Learners in the Northfield Elementary Schools
Other Projects:
The Role of Religion in the Cambodian Immigrant Experience
The Acculturation of Cambodian Families of Different Generations