Off Campus Activities --> Observing Worship

The off campus activities for this course are designed to get you to experience first hand the people involved in food-related practices and reflection studied in class. During the first half of the semester, you will visit a local worship site to observe a ritual that features food in some way and to interview a participant. (You will sign up for both visits on the course content page in SacCT.) This experience will serve as the foundation for the Worship Report.

IMPORTANT:

• You must observe formal worship at one of the times listed under Local Sites, not simply visit the site and talk to people.
  
  
• I strongly recommend that you go with at least one classmate, family member or friend. Though the people in charge of these sites are always welcoming, you should take the same precautions as in any other public place.

Observing Worship

Before your visit, print out or view on-line the appropriate worksheet

Worship Visit --> PDF/MS Word

and start thinking about the questions that you will attempt to answer when you attend the site.

NOTE: most of the advice below applies also for the OPTIONAL farm visit.

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 called "Food, Farming & the Sacred," and as part of one assignments I'm supposed to come see what you do here." 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. At the worship site, 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 mood which the group creates and maintains. Also take note of the ways in which you think your very presence might be affecting that mood.

During and after your visit, remember the following:

1. Your job as an observer is to record accurately what you experienced. Be very attentive in noticing the visual, verbal, and/or other sensory details you see & hear--and also bodily sensations, smell, and even taste!. Try to observe and include both the formal (e.g., ceremony, public speech, etc.) and informal (e.g., people chatting during a ceremony, a person closing their eyes) aspects of the event you witnessed. As suggested in the ORW, the most important details to take in are

• what the site looks like, both inside and out

• how many people are there, and ways they are distinct from one another

• different activities taking place (noting especially those occuring simultaneously, and the precise sequence of those occuring at different times)

• the extent to which people seem to know exactly what will happen next vs. looking around for cues

• words (melody & rhythm, any words you recognize--but also seek out printed or oral translations to at least one recitation) & other sounds

2. Afterwards, try to find out some details from one or more of the participants about the extent to which the event you observed is typical, and the extent to which what happened was particular to that day. Ask also generally about the significance of what happened, even if just to note that the persons you speak with say little about it.

IMPORTANT: unless you already know someone who attends the site, you will need to make contact with one or more community members to ask them if they would be willing to have you interview them. Out of respect for the social customs generally adhered to in these communities, it is safest to make such requests only of members of the same sex. When you find someone willing to help you, communicate your deadlines clearly to them; without being pushy or intrusive it is helpful to obtain your contact's email address or phone number if they are willing to give it, rather than waiting for them to get back to you. Finally, if no one you speak with feels they can help you, ask them if they could suggest someone else.

3. You may find it helpful to take brief notes while on the site; but its probably best NOT to use any type of electronic or photo recording device during the main part of the event, since this would significantly alter the dynamics of the group. (Taking a photo at the end is usually OK, but ask first to be sure.) Instead, be attentive to what you see and hear during the event, keeping in mind especially the questions you generated on the ORW and thought of which you were there. Following the visit, however, write down--as soon as possible after it's over--everything you can remember about what you saw, heard, and understood. Again I urge you to use the ORW as a guide.

CAUTION: Record general moods or judgements (e.g., “the man in front of me seemed really bored;” “I felt really impressed with people's dedication to their actions”) later, in a separate place (e.g., section C of teh ORW). In describing what you observed, dwell instead on what you actually saw and heard (e.g., “the man’s face gave no indication of any particular interest in what he was doing;” “I was struck by how clearly and loudly everyone was singing this song.”).