Focusses on the problems associated with writing school ethnographies. Ethnographers need to provide a sense of the problems that dictate their research. Summaries of theoretical positions based on anthropology are provided. (RB)

Describes the author's 1962 attempt to obtain an oral history of Czech immigrants in Texas. Examines the difficulties involved in the interview process and discusses the subjects' reactions. States that oral history presents an opportunity to record the subtle nuances of people's lives; their hopes, fears, expectations, and disappointments. (GEA)

This article explores some of the ethnographic factors that define the role of the dean in a school of education and identifies ways in which a dean's effectiveness could be enhanced by assuming the role of participant observer within the cultural milieu of the organization. (MT)

Claims that journalists and anthropologists can improve their work by studying each other's methods and describes a number of similarities between members of the two occupations, namely, that both are observers of the human condition with much responsibility. Discusses a seminar conducted in June 1985 that verified this claim. (JD)

Examines narrative choices in experimental (interpretative) and traditional (analytical) ethnographies. Discusses probability in quantitative and qualitative research, ethnographic narratives as ways of knowing and telling about the world, perspective as a consequence of both narrative voice and stance, and the economics of producing…

Investigates two methods of assessing social interactions among different ethnic groups: sociometric testing and protracted ethnographic observation. Highlights inherent limitations of sociometric testing and points to those aspects of inter-pupil contact that are likely to form the basis of teacher's perceptions of students' friendship choices.…

Explores the relationship between literacy and second language acquisition by reviewing a study of this relationship which was conducted in a Thai refugee camp and by discussing major findings in second language research. Suggests a functional rather than developmental approach to investigating literacy for community problem solving. (SED)

Analyzes the ways writing is used among the deaf and between deaf and hearing communicators by four groups; deaf adults who sign, families in which parents are hearing and at least one child is deaf, families in which parents are deaf and children are hearing or deaf, and deaf and hearing schoolteachers. (SED)

Explores the possibility of expanding the research base in distance education through the use of three well-known and accepted qualitative methodologies used by anthropology and sociology: ethnography, case study, and grounded theory. Each methodology's characteristics and main strengths are described. (MBR)

Presents three exercises that encourage active participation in cultural anthropology classes: (1) use of a puzzle to demonstrate focal issues about culture; (2) discussion of a specific piece of fieldwork to demonstrate the relationship among fieldwork, ethics, and cultural relativity; and (3) use of study questions in ethnographic films to allow…

Defines and describes the potential value and nature of an urban anthropology internship as a significant learning experience. Explains necessary steps for setting up and carrying out such a placement while avoiding the pitfalls experienced by field interns in other professions. (CJM)

Discusses two opposing sociolinguistic theories, the Whorfian hypothesis and diglossia, which in turn help to illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of the sociolinguistic field, a field characterised by varied and ideological differences. One solution suggested for this kind of sectarian behavior is to build methodological diversity into the…

Sees Dobbert et al's model of cultural transmission (this issue) as generalizing, structural, mechanical, predetermined, formal, digital, and etic. Posits an alternative approach that is idiographic, processual, organic, open, nonformal, analogical, and attentive to emic data. Argues that the Dobbert model accounts inadequately for the implicit,…

Argues that ethnography, because of its holistic, cross-cultural perspective, provides an inquiry process by which open-ended questions can be asked that will result in new insights about American schooling. Discusses why traditional ethnography is inadequate to the study of schools and sketches first steps of the field work inquiry process. (CMG)

This book is Laurie Thorp's dirt-under-the-fingernails ethnography of four years in an elementary school garden and the ways in which this garden catalyzed cultural transformation and inspired hope, growth, and community. Filled with photographs, sketches, poetry, and journal entries, Thorp's engaging book describes the educational benefits of…