Contemporary Practice Research
This assignment provides you with a direct experience of whichever contemporary practice you choose to focus on in each of your Practice Instructions Project. For each contemporary practice that you choose, you will either (1) visit a local event or site related to the practice or by (2) engage in something similar to that practice by yourself or with one or more others.
Option 1: Site Visit
If you choose this option:
- Gather information from the web links provided on the relevant page of the schedule to find the location of a related event of site.
DOUBLE CHECK to make sure that you
* are going to the ***right place at the right time.***
* know **how to get there.**
* will have enough time after the visit to complete the relevant details on the Practice Research Form (MS Word/PDF)
- When you arrive at the site, remember that you are a representative of the Sac State community. If possible, arrive early and introduce yourself to someone there so that you have a contact with at least one person
In general say as little as possible about this assignment so that you can focus on observing: you may just want to stick with "I'm taking a class that requires observing contemporary forms of culture and am very interested in what you do here." During your visit, pay attention to what happens not only outwardly, but also to your own thoughts and mood.
Be courteous not simply in talking and asking questions, but also via the non-verbal signals you give as you are observing what is happening. You do not have to participate in anything that goes on if you don’t want to, but try as much as possible not to get in the way of the atmosphere which created and/or maintained during your visit.
IMPORTANT: I strongly recommend that you go with at least one classmate, family member or friend. Though the people in charge of the events and sites mentioned in the scenarios are typically welcoming, you should take the same precautions as in any other public place.
As you do your chosen practice, pay attention to what happens not only outwardly, but also ***to your own thoughts and mood.***
Use Practice Research Form (MS Word/PDF) to help you plan. If asked for more detail, return it ASAP.