HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

Academic Year 2024: January- June

Summative Assessment 1: Anthropology 2A (HCGE231-1)
NQF Level, Credits: 6, 15
Weighting: 50%
Assessment Type: Ethnographic research project
Pass Requirement: 50%
Educator: Zwanani Jeza
Examiner: Zwanani Jeza
Due Date: 10 June 2024
Total: 100 Marks

Instructions:
Summative Assessment 1 (SA 1) has to be uploaded onto ColCampus as one
PDF document by 10 June 2024 at 23:59 pm
• Your assessment must be typed using:
o Font: Arial
o Font size: 12
o Line spacing: 1.5
• A Copyleaks Report will be issued via ColCampus once the assignment is
submitted. Please ensure that you follow the correct steps when uploading your
assignment, to ensure that the Copyleaks Report is correctly issued. If the
incorrect document is uploaded, or if no Copyleaks Report is issued, or if the
Copyleaks Report indicates that a 30% similarity rating has been exceeded, a
mark of zero (0) will be awarded. Where a Copyleaks Cheat Detection Report
is issued, your submission will automatically be treated as if you received a
similarity rating in excess of 30% and a mark of zero (0) will be awarded.

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Question: (100 marks)
If you aspire to become an anthropologist or ethnographer in the future, you will be
expected to conduct observations in various settings. Please do an observation on the
following any one of the bellow subject matters (household, community, place of study,
or place of employment, cultural, religious settings, or any other space that you find
suitable for observation). You will need to select a research interest from the options
provided below and study people's communication patterns within that social context
(where your observation is taking place). This observation should be carried out over
a three-day period, with each day consisting of five hours of observation, resulting in
a total of fifteen hours of observation time.

Before attempting this observation, please read the following recap on

observation.
Anthropological observation refers to the systematic and methodical study of human
behaviour, culture, and society through direct observation and participation in the lives
of the people being studied.
Anthropologists observe and analyse a wide range of phenomena, including social
interactions, cultural practices, language use, and economic activities. Some
examples of anthropological observation include:

Participant observation: This involves the anthropologist actively participating in the

social and cultural practices of the community being studied. For example, an
anthropologist might live with a tribe in the Amazon rainforest and participate in their
daily activities to better understand their way of life.
Non-participant observation: This involves the anthropologist observing the
community being studied without directly participating in their activities. For example,
an anthropologist might observe a religious ceremony in a village in India without
actively participating in the ritual.
Field notes: Anthropologists record their observations in field notes, which are
detailed descriptions of what they have seen, heard, and experienced. These notes
can include descriptions of social interactions, cultural practices, and other
phenomena.

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Interviews: Anthropologists often conduct interviews with members of the community
being studied to gain insights into their beliefs, values, and practices.

Overall, anthropological observation involves immersing oneself in the culture being

studied, engaging with the people being studied, and carefully documenting and
analysing one's observations to gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour and
culture.
Examiners own work

Required: Please select one subject matter which suffice with ideal
anthropological observation and conduct an observation using the examples
given below.
Anthropological observation can cover a wide range of topics and areas, as
anthropology is a holistic discipline that seeks to understand the complexity and
diversity of human behaviour and culture. Some of the areas that could be relevant for
anthropological observation include:
• Social and cultural practices: Anthropologists often study the ways in which
people interact with each other and the social norms and cultural practices that
guide these interactions. This could include studying things like family
structures, gender roles, and cultural/ religious practices.
• Economic systems: Anthropologists might study how people produce and
exchange goods and services, as well as the ways in which economic systems
are tied to broader social and cultural practices.
• Language and communication: Anthropologists might study the ways in
which people use language and other forms of communication to express ideas
and interact with each other.
• Power and politics: Anthropologists might study the ways in which power is
distributed and contested in different societies, including the role of institutions
like governments and the military.
• Health and illness: Anthropologists might study the ways in which different
cultures understand and address issues related to health and illness, as well as
the impact of social and cultural factors on health outcomes.

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 • Environmental and ecological systems: Anthropologists might study the
ways in which people interact with the natural environment, including issues
related to resource use, conservation, and climate change.
Ultimately, anthropologists seek to understand the diversity of human experience and
behaviour across different societies and cultures.

Instructions:
1. For a period of three (3) days, you are required to an observation on any chosen
subject matter listed above under required section, (or any space you feel you
would like to observe) for patterns of communication, breakdown of the day
as well as how daily tasks are generally structured. Note: You can observe
for more than three days as long as it is a minimum of fifteen (15) hours
overall. Please make sure to indicate hours observed in your observation
journal/logbook.

Treat this project with the necessary application of ethical conduct and
confidentiality. In such cases, keep it brief, and notify others in your home,
community, or place of employment that you will be observing this setting.
Remember, you are conducting this in a public space. People can ask you not
to record them or write details about them. Be clear to others in your
environment. A good observation is an observation done with honesty, trust,
respect, and integrity.

2. Notify the members that it is an informal observation, and the information will
not be circulated for public use. Furthermore, no personal identifiers or
information will be used in the report. The people mentioned in the report will
receive “fake names” (i.e., pseudonyms), and the community will not be
identified.

3. Do not take pictures of people’s faces on camera. Do not circulate the

information to anyone apart from submitting the information in this assessment
to the Boston City Campus.

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 Be guided by the ethical principles of professional responsibility as noted by
AAA ETHICS forum and discussion by using the following link below:

AAA (2012)—Statement on Ethics.

AAA Web Admin. 2012. American Anthropological Association (AAA). ETHICS

FORUM Retrieved from:
https://ethics.americananthro.org/category/statement/. [Accessed: 31 August
2023].

4. Make use of an observations journal/book to record what you see, hear, and
feel based on your observations (i.e., compile daily field notes). To address this
section, make use of the table in Annexure A. The guiding motivation of the
fieldnote should be to transport the reader to the social setting with all its details.
Do note you are not limited to this table and can use your own devices to
compile these notes.

5. Before writing in your journal/book, make sure to include the following

information:
a. Your Name and Surname, Student Number, Support Centre.
b. Your space/place of observations.
c. Each time you conduct observations, record the date, time you started
and time you ended.

6. Your observations must include the following: Important.

a. Patterns of communication between people. Note the people’s social
interactions. What language is used? Is it a mix of different languages?
b. What are the main topics of communication? Who are the people
involved in the communication? For example, your guardian/parent, your
neighbour, etc.
c. The space/environment of observation. For example, describe what type
of environment (household/community/space) of observations looks like.
Are there many people or few? Is compliance with lockdown regulations
ensured, if still applicable?

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 d. Note the body language of the people within the environment you are
observing. What does this tell you?
e. Record the characteristics people display. Do you know the people you
are observing? What is your relationship with them? Is there anything
out of the ordinary to take note of? Are there any major changes that
have occurred?
f. You are not limited to the topics above and can include more based on
your observations.
g. It is proposed to write up your findings after you have conducted your
observations for the day. This is because the observations are fresh in
your mind and are easier to recall.
h. A first-person account of what you did, how you did it, who you spoke to,
what was easy, what obstacles you encountered, etc.
i. What is the power relationship between yourself, and the group being
observed?
j. Note: write up your findings from your journal/book in a pdf
document for submission.
k. Please use Annexure A, as reference when writing your
observation journal/login.

7. You are required to analyse your findings and write it up in an observation

report:
a. Note that this is not the same as the observation’s journal/book.
b. Provide an introduction to your report: what you observed, where you
conducted your observations, and when this was conducted. This
provides context to the reader. Field notes should include a description
of where you were, when and how long you were there, who and what
you saw, and how you evaluated the interactions you observed. In other
words, how you know what you saw.
c. The body of your report: the readers will need to be able to determine
what you have observed – as if they were there. Therefore, it is crucial
to provide a detailed description. Provide an analysis of your
observations.

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 d. For the conclusion: Provide the summative self-reflection of your
observations. What did you experience? How was it conducting
observations? Is there anything thought-provoking? What challenges
have you faced? What was it like conducting observations within the
current Covid-19 regulations (if still applicable)?
e. Do not write up all your findings. You are to provide an overview of what
you have observed each moment.
f. Write at least two pages of fieldnotes, keep in mind to address all points
of the instructions.
g. Make additional comments on what you have observed, propose
questions or offer suggestions.
h. What are the main points/topics you found in your observations? Is there
a clear outline?
i. Did you learn anything from conducting observations? Do they reflect
what you have learned in Anthropology so far?
j. In your report you must comment why you chose to observe what you
observed and why your observation should be considered
anthropological.
k. Your submission should not exceed six (6) pages, excluding the
reference page.

8. In addition to your journal/book, you can take photos and make recordings.
However, this is to assist you in the write-up of your findings.

9. Your journal/book will be graded for completeness in description and

addressing all points in instructions. Make sure to proof-read your work before
submitting it.

10. Both your journal/logbook and your observation report must be typed and not
handwritten.

11. You should write at least 2 pages of observation journal/logbook and at least
3 pages of observation report. Your assessment should not exceed 6 pages.

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12. Ensure you submit your journal/book with all recorded observations AND
the observation report.

13. Please be as realistic as possible.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO STUDENT:

• Address all the instructions outlined above.
• Please see the course outline and the guidance of the institution
regarding the protection of student information. All documents submitted
to Boston City Campus are treated with the highest level of safekeeping,
and as mandated by the POPI act. We do not circulate documents to
external parties, unless requested for examination and moderation.
• Do not take pictures of people without their verbal consent, and written
consent.
• Do not include personal identifiers in the observation.
• Your submission must be typed and submitted as a single PDF (no
handwriting project will be accepted)

To help you succeed:

Access and read the following article, Ethnography (2018), to help you conduct
observations.

Howell, S. 2018. Ethnography. The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Anthropology.

[website]. Retrieved from https://www.anthroencyclopedia.com/entry/ethnography
[Accessed on 31 August 2023].

Access the link and watch the following video, How to write an effective field
note (2015), to help you record your observations.

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The Art of Making Meaning. 2015. How to write an effective field note. [Video].
YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp2UQQt4MdI
[Accessed on 31 August 2023].

Access and read the following article, 5+ Ways of Writing an Observation Report
Examples (n.d), to help you with the write-up of your observations.

Examples. [website]. 5+ Ways of Writing an Observation Report Examples. Retrieved

from https://www.examples.com/business/ways-of-writing-observation-report.html
[Accessed on 31 August 2023].

In addition, access your prescribed readings outlined in your Proposed Study

Programme (Annexure B) and Breakdown of Proposed Course Material (Annexure D)
in your HCGE231-1 Course Outline. You may use additional sources to assist you,
should you use any sources in your submission documents, please use Boston’s
referencing Guide which is accessible via HE Library on ColCampus.

[TOTAL: 100 marks]

The following Learning Outcomes are assessed in this assessment:

• Unit 9 and 10
• Describe the basics of ethnographic investigation as applied to
Anthropology.
• Apply social science research methods and principles to Anthropology.
• Compare different data collection processes as they apply to ethnography.

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 Annexure A

Days Hours Observed Details of observation

(time)

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

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 GRADING RUBRIC

Excellent Good Average Fair Poor

HOURS (15 Marks) 15 14 - 10 9- 5 1–4 0
Total
Required number of hours observed.
15 hours or more 10-14 hours 5-9 hours 1-4 hours No hours recorded /15
(Total: 15 hours).
OBSERVATIONS LOGBOOK/JOURNAL (30
Marks)
30 - 25 24 - 19 18 - 12 11 - 6 5-0
CRITERIA:
1. Observations recorded for each day/hour. Point of departure criteria: Point of departure criteria: Point of departure criteria: Point of departure criteria: Point of departure criteria:

Extensive contextual detail A good amount of contextual An average amount of A fair amount of contextual Little to no amount of
2. Content: as listed in the requirements; the
recorded for three-d15- detail provided on par with a contextual detail provided on detail provided on par with a contextual detail provided on
student addresses most of these hourhour) observations. observations journal. (Max: par with a observations observations journal. (Max: 5 par with a observations
(Max: 15 marks) 12 marks) journal. (Max: 9 marks) marks) journal. (Max: 2 marks)
instructions/questions.
Total
From the above starting From the above starting From the above starting From the above starting From the above starting
/30
point criteria, the following point criteria, the following point criteria, the following point criteria, the following point criteria, the following
3. Quality: Including sufficient detail to are added: are added: are added: are added: are added:
• Content (Max: 5 marks) • Content (Max: 4 marks) • Content (Max: 3 marks) • Content (Max: 2 marks) • Content (Max: 1 mark)
demonstrate awareness of the
• Quality (Max: 5 marks) • Quality (Max: 4 marks) • Quality (Max: 3 marks) • Quality (Max: 2 marks) • Quality (Max: 1 mark)
dimensions and value of the tasks.
• Writing merit (Max: 5 • Writing merit (Max: 4 • Writing merit (Max: 3 • Writing merit (Max: 2 • Writing merit (Max: 1

4. Writing: Including spelling, grammar, marks) marks) marks) marks) mark)

syntax, neatness, and care were taken in

recording.
OBSERVATIONS REPORT (50 Marks)
50 - 40 39 - 30 29 - 20 19 - 10 9-0
CRITERIA:
Point of departure criteria: Point of departure criteria: Point of departure criteria: Point of departure criteria: Point of departure criteria:
1. Critical engagement with experiences,
Evidence of critical Evidence of critical Evidence of critical Evidence of critical Evidence of critical
evidence that the student engages with
engagement with engagement with engagement with engagement with engagement with
observations; completed analysis; observations (Max: 20 observations (Max: 16 observations (Max: 12 observations (Max: 8 marks) observations (Max: 4 marks)
marks) marks) marks)
ethnographic understanding. Total
Application: (Max: 6 marks) Application: (Max: 3 marks)
Application: (Max: 15 marks) Application: (Max: 12 marks) Application: (Max: 9 marks) /50
2. Application: of module knowledge / Self-reflection: (Max: 3 Self-reflection: (Max: 1 mark)
Self-reflection: (Max: 10 Self-reflection: (Max: 7 Self-reflection: (Max: 5 marks)
learning.
marks) marks) marks) Writing: (Max: 1 marks)
Writing: (Max: 2 marks)
3. Self-reflection/Conclusion: Thought- Writing: (Max: 5 marks) Writing: (Max: 4 marks) Writing: (Max: 3 marks)
provoking, used understanding gained
from courseware. Engaged with

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 observations.

4. Writing: Communicates clearly and

logically in writing, spelling, grammar,
syntax.

5. Confidentiality and ethics:

GRADER’S FINAL REFLECTION / THOUGHTS

5 4 3 2 1
1. Standard of work done by the
student. Student put in excellent Student has put in good Student has put in an average Student has put in a fair Student has put in a poor
2. Was the observation effort in all components of effort in all the components amount of effort in most of amount of effort in some amount of effort in little to no
anthropological or it was just an the assignment. Overall, of the assignment. Overall, the components of the components of the components of the
observation. student has portrayed they has the ability to conduct assignment. Has the assignment. Needs more assignment. Needs lots of
have the capacity to conduct observations and write them potential to conduct and work done conducting guidance to conduct Total
observations and is able to up although still needs some write up observations observations and the write observations and the write /5
write them up. practice, however still needs sufficient up thereof up thereof.
practice.
OR

Student has not completed

the assignment.

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