The terms "observation" and "report" (see below) indicate that everything you do in the journal should be typed and revised to ensure clarity. The word "journal," on the other hand, indicates that the writing done here is more reflective than for a paper proving a particular point; and that you will not be penalized for grammatical errors.

In the observation journal as a whole you will explore connections between your observations among members of a local Buddhist community, recorded as a local worship site, and related details encountered in the assigned readings done throughout the term. The sequence and due dates of these assignments are listed here, with links to the more detailed instructions below and elsewhere.

Due Dates	Assignments Due
February 21	turn in name of the site you plan to visit
March 20	draft of site observation (part 1 of site visit report)
March 27	site visit report
May 15	follow-up report (2nd visit or interview)
May 21	take-home final

In order to complete this report, select one "scene" (i.e., a set of related moments, or else two closely-related scenes) from the details you observed and recorded during your site visit. This scene should relate in some way to one or more details in the assigned readings done so far (see # 3 below under "Primary Tasks"). For example, you might chose a moment in a worship ritual you observed that reminds you of a practice your read about; an image you saw at the site that reminds you of a deity or idea described in a reading; or a person you observed or spoke with who reminded you of some person or role mentioned in a reading. [read more...]

Ingredients:

1. Recount your visit, by first providing (in no more than 2 sentences) the essential information about your site. Then, describe concisely the visual, verbal, and other sensory details of what happened during your chosen scene(s) (single-spaced and offset from the main body of your prose), summarizing the sequence of what preceeded and followed it, including informal interactions. Finally, reflect briefly on the way that your own upbringing, as well as other previous experience, influenced what your attention was most drawn to and what you thought about during the visit. [read more...] [View sample site observation.]
   
   
2. Complete both pages of the "Site Vist Analysis" form reviewed in class & available for download (PDF/ MS Word), which asks you to relate the details of your visit to some primary source(s) from Units 1 or 2 of the course.
   
   
3. When you have finished at least a draft of the items above,create a diagram, doodle, or concept map that in some way illustrates the connection between what you observed (including your own perspective as an observer), details from the reading mentioned in #2 & 3, and comparison of your first site visits. [read more...]

Other Requirements:

• 350-500 words double-spaced type for #1 (exact count indicated at
  TOP OF FIRST PAGE), with pages numbered & stapled or paper-clipped
• handwritten or typed responses for #2, making sure not to exceed two pages
• hand-written self-assessment & name on BACK of #3 ONLY
• attach draft of #1 for reference
• DUE: beginning of class Wednesday, November 2

**IN CASE OF LOSS, KEEP TWO (2) ELECTRONIC COPIES**

Note also point values, late policy & style/format.

Extra Credit: up to five points of extra credit may be given for any report that reflects thorough reading of one of the optional primary sources listed in the schedule of readings. Make sure to hand-write "PLEASE CONSIDER FOR EXTRA CREDIT" at the top of your paper if you wish you report to be considered.

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Follow-Up Report

As a follow-up to your site visit, you should EITHER (A) return to the same site to observe a different event OR (B) conduct an interview with a member of the site's community. Your follow-up report should then both describe the second visit or interview and compare that description to the details of the initial site visit report. If you chose to visit the site again, you should once again select one or two "scenes" to highlight in your report; if you chose the interview, select two or three key moments from the interview, including at least two direct quotations of 2-4 sentences each, that relate to some detail(s) in the assigned readings. [read more...]

A.Ingredients (Second Visit):

1. Recount your second visit using the same format as before, highlighting some important scene(s) and selectively summarizing the rest in sequence (see #1 under "Site Visit Report" above). However, you should also compare & contrast what you observed this time with details of your initial site visit, noting especially any changes in the what your attention was drawn to and what you thought about. [read more]
   
   
2. As before, complete both pages of the "Site Vist Analysis" form, distributed in class and available for download (PDF/ MS Word)but now relate the details of your visit to some primary source(s) from Units 3 or 4 of the course; but note that this form also asks you to compare your insights to those described on the first "Site Visit Analysis." If you did well on the first one, you may choose to write your own prose analysis that addresses everything requested on the form.
   
   
3. As before, when you have finished at least a draft of the items above,create a diagram, doodle, or concept map that in some way illustrates the connection between what you observed (including your own perspective as an observer), details from the reading mentioned in #2 & 3, and comparison of your first site visits. [read more...]

B. Ingredients (Interview):

1. As with the site visit report, recount your interview by first providing (in no more than 2 sentences) the essential information about your interviewee & your meeting with her or him. Then describe concisely the quotations and non-verbal details of your two or three chosen moments (single-spaced and offset from the main body of your prose), summarizing the sequence of what preceeded and followed each, including your own questions and comments. Finally, reflect briefly on the way that your own upbringing, as well as other previous experience, influenced your choice of questions and what you thought about your interviewee's responses.
   
   Since this is a follow up report, you should also note any changes in what you thought about when exposed to the tradition of your interviewee, in comparison to your earlier visit to the related site. [read more...] [View sample interview report]
   
   
2. Complete both pages of the "Interview Analysis" handout distributed in class and available download (PDF/ MS Word), which asks you to relate the details of your interview to some primary source(s) from Units 3 or 4 of the course; but note that this form also asks you to compare your insights to those described on the "Site Visit Analysis" you handed in earlier in the term.
   
   
3. As before, when you have finished at least a draft of the items above, create a diagram, doodle, or concept map that in some way illustrates the connection between what you learned from your interviewee (including your own perspective as an interviewer), details from the reading mentioned in #2 & 3, and comparison of your site visit. [read more...]

Other Requirements:

• 350-500 words double-spaced type for #1 (exact count indicated at
  TOP OF FIRST PAGE), with pages numbered & stapled or paper-clipped
• handwritten or typed responses for #2, making sure not to exceed two pages
• hand-written self-assessment & name on BACK of #3 ONLY
• attach Site Visit Report for reference
• DUE: beginning of class Wednesday, December 14, with SITE VISIT REPORT clipped to it

**IN CASE OF LOSS, KEEP TWO (2) ELECTRONIC COPIES **

Please review point values, late policy & style/format as needed.

Extra Credit: as with the site report, up to five points of extra credit may be given for any report that reflects thorough reading of one of the optional primary sources listed in the schedule of readings. Again, make sure to hand-write "PLEASE CONSIDER FOR EXTRA CREDIT" at the top of your paper if you wish you report to be considered.

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Final Exam

Like the Mini-Midterms, the take-home Final Exam asks to you relate key terms to one another and to provide citations from the readings to show that you understand those terms. In this case, however, you will select five terms yourself and relate them your own observations made during the site visit(s) and/or interview; the excerpts you use to illustrate the terms will be drawn from those observations rather than from assigned primary sources for the course.

Instructions:

Choose the five terms or names assigned for RPTs #1-4 that most clearly relate to the observations presented in your site visit and follow-up reports. (CAUTION: do not use terms assigned for the trial RPT given at the very beginning of the term, as these are too general to provide the specificity needed for a focused analysis.)

Then complete the "Final Exam" form available for download (PDF/MS Word), which asks you to relate the five terms to one another, and to the rituals &/or customs you observed during site visit(s) and/or heard about during your interview; and then to relate each term to the observations detailed in your two reports.

Other Requirements:

• neatly handwritten or typed responses
• make sure NOT TO EXCEED THREE (3) PAGES
• name on BACK of LAST PAGE ONLY
• DUE @ MND 2016 on Tuesday, May 21 (10 am-12 pm, 2-4:30 pm)

**IN CASE OF LOSS, KEEP TWO (2) ELECTRONIC COPIES **

Extra Credit: as with the site report, up to five points of extra credit may be given for any report that reflects thorough reading of one of the optional primary sources listed in the schedule of readings. Again, make sure to hand-write "PLEASE CONSIDER FOR EXTRA CREDIT" at the top of your paper if you wish you report to be considered.