You can pick whatever documentary or event you want. However, if it is an event please make sure it is NYC based. The name of the course textbook is Manuel, Peter. 2016. Caribbean Currents: Caribbean Music from Rumba to Reggae. Third
Edition. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press. , if you can find a free online version and make some points from the textbook that would be amazing!
Caribbean Music Ethnography Paper/Project Instructions
write a 5-page essay about a live music event taking place online OR a documentary about a Caribbean music culture. The musical event/performance MUST take place online or virtually, i.e., on social media platforms, FaceTime, Skype, etc. Another option is for students to critically assess a Caribbean music documentary of their choice. Documentaries are accessible on YouTube and other electronic formats. You must receive my permission (by emailing me) as to the online performance or documentary you wish to study.
In this paper, you are applying what you have learned about ethnographic methodology to an original project that involves people, music, and other sonic practices. The field site in which you will collect primary data is of your choice and can be virtually anywhere, any space. For this paper, you are to describe your primary data in detail. Be as descriptive in your writing as possible. A helpful guide is to answer the following questions: Who? What? Where? How? For instance, you may ask: “Who are the kinds of people that are at this place?” “What is this event?” “What class, ethnic background, gender do these people appear to belong to?” “Why are people engaging in this musical or sonic activity?” “How do people perform this music or prepare for this ritual sonic event?” “What are people wearing?” “What is it that these people are saying about this activity?” “What is it that people are doing here and how best to describe it?” “How do people seem to engage with the music and sounds?” “How do people appear moved by the music?”
You must include one page in which you attempt to analyze the “Why?” to people’s behavior. In this page, you may start sentences with “I think….” Organize the paper accordingly: Title, Introduction (2-3 sentences), Body (4 pages), Analysis (1 page), and Conclusion (1 paragraph, 2-3 sentences). In terms of how long to stay at your field site, the average length of stay will approximately be one hour, although it may take longer depending on the context. Explore, engage, and ask questions when appropriate and necessary.
You must also include one page an assessment about your experience conducting “online ethnographic” research. Reflect upon your experiences and virtual interactions via a digital space whether you are viewing an online Caribbean musical scene, or viewing and listening to digital recordings posted by a Caribbean community performing Caribbean music, or conducting research by viewing and critically analyzing a documentary about a musical culture. You might discuss questions related to the following:
What was it like for you to conduct ethnographic research on the Internet? How might it be different than conducting research in a face-to-face setting?
What was it like critically assessing a documentary about a musical culture from your home/ indoors?
What are some challenges and/or limitations to conducting ethnographic research on the Internet? What are some benefits?