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Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Field Report Final

This semester, I have learned that culture is not only something we experience through language, but something we live through behavior, space, and unspoken norms. Through some of my field observations.  Memorial Stadium, Java Haute, the Student Recreation Center, and Chick-fil-A, I discovered that everyday spaces reveal powerful lessons about identity, routine, and communication.These observations, challenged me to rethink what communication looks like and where it happens.




Field Observation Report: Memorial Stadium (ISU)
On game days, Memorial Stadium becomes a key part of school spirit and community. Tailgating is a popular tradition for fans, such as setting up blue and white tents, cooking food, and playing music from country to upbeat hype music. Many people are participating in other games such as bags and have ISU flags flying outside their tents, wearing gear associated with ISU. The marching band adds energy to the stadium by performing near the main gate before marching down to the stadium and playing the fight song and spirited songs during the game. Additionally, the students and fans also exhibit Sycamore pride and originality in their outfits as people wear everything from face paint, blue wigs, glitter, and clothing bandwidth blue-and-white ISU logo. Cheer pies might even hear the students standing or cheerleaders inserting the chants of “Go Sycamores!” fans will chant throughout the stadium during festivities. Students will mostly peer to aspects of the stadium with other students in the designated student section with families and alumni, and alumni will even wear older ISU gear as a form of connection and pride to show that past affiliation with ISU. Beyond the athletic events, Memorial Stadium is used as a heads-and-speed gathering spot for others in the surrounding community. On game days without games, users might be a mixed bag composed of college students out for a jog and older individuals walking dogs, and families who might be attending youth sports practices or community events. Memorial Stadium has hosted 5k races, community youth football games, and celebrations designated for certain seasons. Typically, these events are planned with rituals of opening speeches, either a collective -stretching ritual or national anthems, and inclusivity is baked within the programming through public access, sports signage in many languages, and clear, well directed, and maintained ADA-accessible sidewalks. Many family-oriented events, the involvement of parents and children, taking part in volunteering to set up and children are fully engaged through many games and races. Local sponsoring clubs and sponsors are often found supporting events as well in many cases involve the organization of family-oriented events, reinforcing a collective mindset of how events can take place within Memorial Stadium as a community space.

When we refer to culture it can also entail depth. Between current ISU attributes and values of being rooted in tradition, ownership of innovation, and standing at the foot of the community, the programming at Memorial Stadium exemplifies these cultural beliefs in action. Memorial Stadium was built in 1924, circa was established in 1967, and it served as the first University to install Astroturf in the venue. Consequently, the Memorial Stadium has continued to improve spaces by adding FieldTurf in 2018, as well as recently renovating the locker rooms. The design of Memorial Stadium allows for engagement of participants as fans walk through the main gate to access the stadium and main public square, which are food vendors, merchandise tents, gathering points etc. When a student's group appears in the south end of the stadium, alumni and other family members gather mainly in the mid and upper sections. In various parts of the Memorial stadium, there are plaques, and banners, however during the game all fans can reminisce in historic players and games. As fans, you might see a large Sycamore tree emblem at the mid-field area surrounded by symbolic Maryland flags that are all reminders of school pride. The opportunities of reflecting on a culture of respect, tradition, and growth: are all things memorial stadium shares at many levels.


Extra Thoughts on Previous Places

Java Haute: 

My visit to Java Haute revealed a rich blend of public and private communication. One man sat alone with headphones and a laptop, silently signaling focus and isolation, while a nearby group of girls chatted and laughed openly, creating a vibrant social atmosphere. This dual use of the same space reminded me of Edward T. Hall’s (1966) concept of proxemics and the way physical space reflects and shapes social relationships.

Ray Oldenburg (1999) refers to coffee shops as “third places,” spaces that are neither home nor work, but offer a neutral ground for social interaction and community belonging. Java Haute functions in this way. It invites people into routines that become cultural rituals, sitting in the same seat, ordering the same drink, engaging with familiar baristas. This aligns with Geertz’s (1973) notion of “thick description,” where mundane behavior like drinking coffee can represent deeper social practices and values when examined closely.

Student Recreation Center: Communication Through the Body Lanaguage

At the Student Rec Center, the primary mode of communication was nonverbal. A man lifting weights alone appeared highly focused, communicating intensity and independence through body language. Nearby, two girls lifted together in sync, encouraging each other through facial expressions and coordinated movement. These observations showed that in fitness spaces, bodies become the language used to communicate support, discipline, or focus.

The basketball court added another layer of communication, filled with laughter, verbal cues, and shared rhythm. Here, sport acted as a cultural performance where trust, competition, and community were built without explicit explanation. This aligns with the understanding that culture is performative and embodied it is something we do, not just talk about. Nonverbal communication is central to Hall’s theory (1966), and observing these interactions confirmed that even without words, we can express values like teamwork, confidence, and social identity.

Chick-fil-A: Scripts, Efficiency, and Ritual

Chick-fil-A offered a sharp contrast to the previous two settings. Here, communication was guided by politeness, efficiency, and repetition. Employees consistently responded with “my pleasure,” a scripted phrase that reflects the company’s emphasis on courteous service. This ritualized language reminded me of how corporations use language to convey culture, and how individuals adopt these scripts as part of their roles.

Geertz (1973) emphasizes that culture is a system of shared symbols and meanings. In this fast-paced environment, people from staff to customers are engaged in a well rehearsed script that reflected values like order, respect, and professionalism. Even a woman in scrubs eating alone communicated something, perhaps her rushed pace revealed norms around time, health care work, or personal routine. In all, the culture here was clear, consistent, and communicated more through behavior and context than through dialogue.

Lessons Learned: Awareness and Reflexivity

Before this assignment, I often thought of cultural communication in terms of different languages or international travel. But these field experiences, framed by readings from Hall and Geertz, helped me realize that culture is deeply embedded in my everyday life. Observing how people move through shared spaces, how they follow social cues, and how they use silence or ritual to communicate made me more attuned to the nuances of nonverbal and contextual communication.

I also learned that observation is an interpretive act. What looks like ordinary behavior becomes meaningful when approached with curiosity and the right theoretical lens. By applying course concepts like proxemics, nonverbal communication, and symbolic ritual, I was able to uncover the cultural depth in each of these spaces. Most importantly, I learned that I, too, contribute to culture through my routines, preferences, and behaviors whether I’m getting drinks at a coffee shop, working out, or ordering food.

This reflection has also made me more aware of the assumptions that I take to different physical spaces. For example, I came to the conclusion that I often take the structure and flow of coffee shops and gyms for granted and assume that everyone experiences those spaces in the same way as I do. However, fieldwork offered me some level of strangeness (or, at least, discomfort) which prompted me to consider how race, gender, class, or even mood could impact a person's experience in these spaces in a unique way. Being reflexive and turning the lens back to myself  prompted me to reflect on how my background, tendencies, and positionally shape not only how I understand others' behaviors, but how I participate in the surrounding cultural landscape.


Conclusion

These observations taught me that communication is not just about what we say—it is also how we act, how we relate to space, and how we participate in shared rituals. Everyday environments like Java Haute, the Rec Center, and Chick-fil-A are not just functional spaces; they are cultural stages where we perform identity, community, and meaning. Through thick description and intentional observation, I’ve come to appreciate the complexity and richness of communication in everyday life.

References

Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures: Selected essays. Basic Books.

Hall, E. T. (1966). The hidden dimension. Anchor Books.

Oldenburg, R. (1999). The great good place: Cafés, coffee shops, bookstores, bars, hair salons, and other hangouts at the heart of a community (3rd ed.). Marlowe & Company.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Assignment Notes

Memorial Stadium (Indiana State University) 


1. Game Day Culture

  • Observe:

    • Tailgating rituals (food, music, decorations)

    • Marching band performances

    • Fan clothing and face paint

    • Chants/cheers and school spirit

    • Group behaviors: families, students, alumni

  • Questions:

    • How do people show team spirit?

    • Are there specific roles people take (leaders, organizers)?

    • Any gender differences in behavior or dress?


2. Everyday  Use

  • Examples:

    • Daily walks

    • Community Events

  • Observe:

    • Participant demographics (age, gender, ethnicity)

    • People that use it

    • Event rituals (races, speeches, activities)

  • Questions:

    • How is inclusivity promoted?

    • Are families involved? Volunteers?


3. Stadium as a Cultural Space

  • History:

    • Built 1924, acquired by ISU in 1967

    • First to use Astroturf in a university stadium

    • Upgrades: FieldTurf (2018), new locker rooms

  • Observe:

    • How space is used (seating, entrances, gathering areas)

    • Movement patterns (where people go, gather, avoid)

    • Any memorials, plaques, or symbolic features

  • Questions:

    • What does the stadium "say" about ISU culture?

    • How has the space changed over time?'


4. Visual/Spatial Anthropology

  • Observe:

    • Stadium design: fences, entrances, walkways, turf

    • Fan zones, student sections, accessible seating

    • Use of symbols (logos, banners, mascots)

  • Questions:

    • How does the layout influence social behavior?

    • Are there any hidden or less-visible areas?

    • How does the stadium feel during different events (empty vs. full)?

Cross Cultural Research Project

Cross Cultural Research Project

You will choose nearly any public site in and through which you will observe “culture.”  Your site may be a specific public place (e.g. ISU Commons, shopping mall, grocery, hair salon, dojo, etc.) or a practice, ritual, tradition, habit you observe in multiple places (e.g. weddings, funerals, meals, competitions).  You can also choose a static/artifactual site (television program(s), films with a common focus or genre, online role-playing games, musical artists or genre). 

Once your site is identified, you will: 

- collect data (observations) published to your Fieldnotes; some of these may be guided by a prompt, but most will be the ongoing notes/jottings you collect and document during your planned observations of your fieldsite.

-publish field journal to the appropriate Discussion Board (Field Journal) (your field journal is developed from your field notes as you organize your observations, insights, and discoveries) (due app. April 23)

-publish a Field Report (a critical synthesis of fieldwork) (due during our final exam week session)

Field Notes

You will conduct planned and recorded observations of your site and post field notes to your fieldwork project space.

Note (as discussed): Field notes are descriptive, cluttered, heuristic, messy jots and codes you record “in situ.”  You are capturing as much data as you can, mostly unreflected as “notes.”

“Try to be one on whom nothing is lost.”

More is always better when we are talking about field notes--bits and pieces of observation (i.e. data with notations

Field Journal

You will publish a field journal nearing the end of your fieldwork project.  Your field journal entries are produced when you “write through” your Field Notes (reflective and reflexive).  Your journal writing will feature the shift from description to interpretation (making meaning), while maintaining an critical/interrogative posture.  Field Journals contribute to the crafting of your Field Report.

Field Report- This is your crafted report of your work encountering culture in your chosen site. 

Your Field Report will feature thoughtful, rehearsed, synthesis of data that offers a critical interpretive analysis that supports evaluative conclusions.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Field Journals

Date: January 21st, 2025

Location: Java Haute, Terre Haute, Indiana 

Time: 7:30-7:45am

What I Observed

After my lift this morning I decided to go on over to Java Haute. Java Haute is a local coffee shop near campus that I highly recommend! The smell of freshly brewed coffee lingers in the air with a smell of sweetness of the baked goods displayed. The seating area is pretty busy with lots of students and adults, some working on their computers while other socializing with their peers. A man walks in with an blue Indiana State University hoodie and black joggers. He places his order then goes to take a seat at one of the tables. He then pulls out his laptop and puts his headphones in while he listens to music. Towards the center of the cafe a small group of girls walk in. They are all laughing and giggling having a good time. They talk about what they have going on for the rest of the day, and what they did over the weekend. 

The overall space and atmosphere was lively, but not overwhelming. There was a strong sense of routine here, student studying friends catching up and regulars getting what they normally get. Nothing seemed off, just a nice and chill place to grab a drink and chill, or to simply get something to go. 


Date: January 29th, 2025

Location: Student Rec Center, Terre Haute, Indiana

Time: 5:00-5:30pm

What I Observed

It’s early evening, and the rec center is alive with motion. The air smells faintly of rubber mats and sweat, and upbeat music pulses softly from the speakers overhead. As I walk through the cardio section, treadmills hum under steady strides. A guy in a grey ISU tank top wipes sweat from his forehead between sets, occasionally glancing at his phone. Across from him, a pair of girls wearing matching athletic leggings do weighted squats, hyping each other up. The weight room has a focused vibe, almost sacred  like everyone is in their own bubble, headphones in, tunnel vision on.

In contrast, the basketball courts echo with laughter and competitive shouts. A casual pick-up game unfolds: fast breaks, dramatic missed shots, and plenty of smack talk. Around the facility, people nod in passing or exchange polite smiles, there’s a sense of community and shared purpose, even if no one’s talking much. Some come to train hard, some to socialize, but all are here in pursuit of something health, connection, or routine.


Date: January 29th, 2025

Location: Chick-Fil-A, Terre Haute, Indiana 

Time: 11:30

What I Observed

Lunch rush at Chick-fil-A means one thing, busy but efficient. The line inside moved fast, and the “my pleasure”s were always being said. The smell of waffle fries and fried chicken hits you the second you walk in. College students, families, and people on their lunch breaks packed the dining area.

I sat near a window and watched a girl in scrubs eat quickly while scrolling through her phone. Across the room, a mom wiped down her toddler’s sticky hands while he insisted on dipping every nugget into  ketchup.

Despite the busyness, it never felt stressful. The staff kept things moving with smiles and quick service. It’s one of those places where people of all ages blend, students, professionals, and parents all in pursuit of the same thing: something fast, familiar, and filling.


Date: February 5th, 2025

Location: Walmart , Terre Haute, Indiana

Time: 

What I Observed

It is peak shopping hour. The store is buzzing under fluorescent lights, carts squeaking on worn linoleum floors. I find myself in a long checkout line, just like everyone else who probably thought 6:00pm was a good time to run errands. A woman in front of me mid-30s, wearing scrubs scrolls through her phone, visibly tired, while her son pokes at candy bars and whispers a plea for one. Behind me, an older man stacks canned goods, paper towels, and a 12-pack of Diet Coke with practiced efficiency.

Overhead, announcements crackle about store deals, barely audible over the low hum of conversation and beeping scanners. The cashier greets each person with the same soft tone: “Did you find everything okay?” Most just nod, eager to finish. One customer makes small talk about the weather, and the cashier smiles briefly. It’s a mix of transactional and personal — you get a sense that everyone is just moving through a necessary part of life. Even in its chaos, there’s an unspoken rhythm that feels oddly comforting.


Date: February 20th, 2025

Location: Sycamore Terrace Apartments, Terre Haute, Indiana

Time: 4pm

What I Observed

Walking around my apartment complex today, I noticed how alive the space feels in the early evening. The sidewalks were scattered with people walking dogs some big, and some small. Others just enjoying the fresh air. 

A couple sat on their balcony, laughing and pointing at something on a laptop screen. I passed a girl walking to my mailbox Face Timing someone, her voice upbeat as she talked about her day. Someone nearby grilled I stopped by Casey’s for gas and coffee this morning and took a moment to just take in the scene. The early morning light made the parking lot glow slightly, and a mix of trucks and sedans pulled in and out in a constant rhythm. A man in work boots grabbed a breakfast pizza slice while chatting with the cashier about a new road project.

Two high schoolers stood by the fountain drinks, deciding between Mountain Dew and Dr. Pepper. A woman in business attire filled her car, then quickly ran inside for a bottle of water and a protein bar. There’s something about Casey’s that feels local and grounded — a place where regulars come every morning and always say “hey” to someone.

The convenience store vibe is fast-paced, but there’s a small-town feel too. A mix of people heading off to completely different days, but all pausing here in the same early-hour routine. I couldn’t see them, but the smell of BBQ floated in the breeze.

Even though everyone was doing their own thing, it felt like a neighborhood. There’s a comfort in hearing doors shut, seeing porch lights turn on, and watching life unfold right outside your window.


Date: March 1st, 2025

Location: Old Navy, Terre Haute, Indiana 

Time: 7pm

What I Observed

Today I worked a closing shift at Old Navy, and during a quick moment at the front, I just observed. The fitting rooms buzzed with activity, moms wrangling toddlers, college girls trying on denim jackets, and a dad who looked totally out of his element holding three different sizes of khakis.

The store smelled like a mix of fresh cotton and plastic hangers. The music overhead was upbeat pop  something familiar but overplayed. Customers came in with different purposes: some browsed casually, others power-walked straight to clearance. I helped a woman looking for jeans in a tall size, and she told me she was shopping for a work conference. She smiled when she found what she needed, and I noticed how even a small gesture like finding the right fit can really brighten someone’s mood.

Working retail gives you a front-row seat to people’s little moments, frustration, joy, and confusion. It’s all part of the rhythm of the day.


Date: March 11th, 2025

Location: My Apartment, Terre Haute, Indiana 

Time: 

What I Observed

Tonight I watched an episode of The Sandman on Netflix, a show I’ve been meaning to watch for a while. Right from the opening scenes, it felt visually rich and surreal. The storytelling is layered and artistic, and the main character, Dream, carries a quiet but intense presence. There’s something haunting about the way he moves through each scene, often more observer than participant.

As I watched, I noticed how the show blends fantasy and human emotion. One moment you’re in a strange, dreamlike world and the next you’re watching someone grieve, hope, or fear. The colors are dark and moody, but not in a way that feels lifeless. It feels deep, almost poetic.

The episode I watched explored control, desire, and the idea of what people truly need to feel whole. It sparked reflection about how much of life we try to control, and how dreams (literal and metaphorical) shape our realities. Watching The Sandman isn’t just entertainment. It’s like entering a visual poem that makes you sit with some big thoughts  and that kind of media, in our fast-paced culture, feels rare and meaningful.


Date: March 21st, 2025

Location: My Apartment, Terre Haute, Indiana 

Time: 9pm

What I Observed

Tonight I decided to have a night in and watch Venom: The Last Dance from the comfort of my apartment. I made some popcorn, turned off the lights, and got wrapped up in a blanket on my couch ready for something loud, ridiculous, and fun.

The movie jumps right into action. Venom and Eddie are back with their usual love-hate, weirdly co-dependent relationship that somehow makes total sense by now. The tone swings from intense fight scenes to sarcastic one-liners, and I caught myself laughing more than I expected. Even alone, it felt like an experience, the kind where you kind of talk back to the screen, react out loud, and rewind a part just to watch it again.

What stuck with me is how Venom leans into the chaos. He doesn’t try to be a perfect superhero film he embraces the messy, unpredictable, and strangely heartfelt moments. Watching it from home actually made it more enjoyable in a way. I could pause, rewind, snack, and really take it in without distractions.

It reminded me that culture doesn’t just live in big theaters or public spaces, it also lives in the way we engage with stories in our own space. Even alone, watching a movie like this feels like plugging into something bigger  a shared pop culture moment, even if it’s just through a screen.


Date: March 29th, 2025

Location: Caseys Gas Station, Indiana 

Time: 7:30

What I Observed

After 6am lift this morning, I stopped by Casey’s for gas and hot chocolate this and took a moment to just take in the scene. The early morning light made the parking lot glow slightly, and a mix of trucks and sedans pulled in and out in a constant rhythm. A man in work boots grabbed a breakfast pizza slice while chatting with the cashier about a new road project.

A woman in business attire filled her car, then quickly ran inside for a bottle of water and a snack. There’s something about Casey’s that feels local and grounded, it's a place where regulars come every morning and always say “hey” to someone.

The convenience store vibe is fast-paced, but there’s a small-town feel too. A mix of people heading off to completely different days, but all pausing here in the same early-hour routine.


Date: April 8th, 2025

Location: Honey Creek Mall, Indiana 

Time: 2pm

What I Observed

The mall on a weekday afternoon is quieter than you’d expect, but it still has its steady flow of life. The smell of pretzels and sweet lotion from Ulta Works floats through the air. A group of teenagers hangs out near the food court, laughing at TikToks and sipping on some Starbucks.

A woman with a stroller stops to look at a display of spring dresses while her toddler tugs at her hand. At the center of the mall, two older men sit on a bench talking to each other. 

Stores play their own background music, adding to the layered sound of mall culture. It’s a strange blend of nostalgia and the now people shopping, people killing time, people just being out in the world. Even when it’s quiet, the mall still feels like a place where community happens in unexpected ways.

Thursday, November 7, 2024

The Social Dilemma Notes/Thoughts

  • One thing that I took away was how additive social media can be addictive. Even sitting here in class and watching I would sometimes look at my phone to check things out. 
  • Another would be that people would try to come up with ways to see if people can stay off social media. Like offer rewards if they could do it. 
  • Some people think they aren't on their phone as much as they think. In the film the siblings where on their phones a lot more then they thought 
  • It also talked about how we don't know if some things are true
  • Once its on the web it stay forever, leave a digital foot print
  • Mentions many solutions/questions about the internet 
  • Talks a lot about conspiracy theories 

Monday, November 4, 2024

Black Mirror Reflections & Research

 After reading the two articles Real-life Black Mirror and Inside Chinas Vast New Experiment in Social Ranking here are some things that I took away.

    The social credit system in China serves as an example of how the "fictional future" described in Black Mirror is becoming more and more real. In "Nosedive," character, social standing and access to services are determined by their behaviors which are assessed in real time similar to this China, social credit system assigns a ranking to its .people depending on their conduct. It penalizes certain behavior, such as tax invasion or government criticism while we're recording others like purchasing Chinese goods or doing community service. Highest scorers receive special advantages from the system, such as accelerate airport check-in reduce loan cost, and the mission to prestigious universities. Additionally, it takes into account a person, social network penalizing those connected to a low-score persons. When considering these results, it is clear that social engineering and digital surveillance are being utilized to restrict rights and shape social behaviors. 

    Reflecting, I feel that I have to be aware of my digital footprint, particularly in terms of my social media personal branding since I know that one day our relationships purchases and behaviors may be measured, and you determine whether we are granted or denied services. No, I thought our online presents can have a big impact on how we're seeing and what resources or networks we access motivates me to be intentional in my involvement as I develop my personal brand



Thursday, October 31, 2024

Black Mirror Notes

 Notes:

One thing that I took away is that people are are way too nice to each other. They all suck up to each other and act so fake so they can get as many "points as possible" one example is Lacie in the elevator with that one girl. You can clearly tell that she doesn't like her but will still be overly nice because she is a hight 4 rank. 


When Lacie kept on getting low rankings it would completely alter her mood. One thing is, is that she would still try to be overly nice to people. Once she got docked points at the airport and got put on double  damage she freaked out. To Lacie the 


When she got stuck on the highway, the higher up people wouldn't help her but when the lower ranked people offer to help she was skeptical. Lacie ended up having the best conversation with a 1 star compared to all of the other people she encountered with. 


Lacie and Naomi at the end both wanted to use each other. Lacie wanted all of the high rankings from all of her friends that where all over 4.5. And Naomi wanted to get the "pity points" of Lacie because at the time she was a 4.2. 

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Brand Yourself Reputation

 

Overall my "brand" was good. The only thing that I needed to work on was when someone looked up my name. When looking up my name there are picture that aren't me, but some were. When it comes to my socials, everything was good. I didn't have anything negative pop up. Overall I was happy with my results!

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Lighting Notes

 3 point light set up

Key light- brightest light (Most important) (Left and high) (throw shadow on the right side)

Fill light- help key light (add light to parts that where in shadow)

Hair/Back light- separate subject from background (lights up back of the subject)

Background light- (halo)