Anthropology

ANTH 1306.001 and 1306.002 Analysis Paper #2 – Interview

For this assignment, you are to interview an individual who has come to the U.S. from a different culture, i.e., someone who is a first-generation immigrant. This may not be a member of your family; it can be someone else whom you know from school, church/mosque, work, a friend of your parents, etc. (though not a member of this class or of the other section of ANTH 1306). You are interested in finding out their perceptions about the U.S. and the similarities and differences between their “first” culture and their “adopted” culture. You will probably need to interview someone who immigrated as an adult (or near-adult) in order to get the kind of information you need.

Obviously, social distancing is an issue at the moment. While face-to-face interviewing is always preferable, that may not be an option for you at this time. You can also do these interviews using FaceTime or Skype or other useful internet/media app. Don't try to accomplish this just over the phone, though: If you've read the chapter on language, you know that a person's body language and facial expressions will often give you additional data that may be important!

Remember that it's often difficult to think about one's own culture and analyze it, so direct questions like “tell me about your culture” may not get you the information you want. Consider questions such as:

· Tell me why you came to the U.S. (looking for better job? fleeing a war?)

· What surprised you the most?

· What did you expect to find that you didn’t find?

· What do you miss the most about your home? (i.e. your home culture)

· What, if anything, do you not miss?

· What changes have you had to make to adapt to living here?

· What, if anything, have you decided not to change?

You do not have to ask all of these questions, and you may find that your interviewee volunteers information without your having to ask much of anything. Think of this as a “semi-structured” interview: you have certain topics you want to be sure to cover, but your interviewee may mention some things that you didn’t even think to ask. If those are interesting to you, follow up on them.

Write a 2-3 (700-800) page summary of your findings (typed, double-spaced). Think anthropologically! What did you learn from your informant? Did anything surprise you? Did anything they said make you think about your own culture in a new way? Remember that you are focusing on the question of culture, so resist the temptation to report on everything your interviewee said! (For example, they might have a harrowing description of the challenges on their journey to the U.S., but if it's not about culture, then give that about 1 sentence and move on.)

In addition: The point is for you to synthesize and analyze your informant’s responses and thoughts. Do not simply report “I asked … She said …. Then I asked … She replied …” etc.

Due by noon on Tuesday, May 5 (which would have been the last day of class), although it is entirely acceptable to turn it in early! Attach as a Word document to [email protected]. Do not submit through Canvas.