Skip to content

Field Notes

Students are asked to conduct observations throughout Introduction to Sociology. As they conduct their observation they take field notes. In these field notes you will see detailed descriptions that allow the reader to feel as if they are there with the student. Students are encouraged to use all of their senses.

These student field notes or jottings show high levels of detailed observation. Often students leave out details (e.g. writing “people” or “crowds” but not describing the people in the crowd! While not always catching everything, these students often detail the people making it easier to notice patterns and norms and relate it to topics in Intro to Soc.
The level of detail in these field notes will make it easy for the student to draw themes for the analysis after the observation is complete.