ANTHROPOLOGY 2
TERM PAPER – ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PROJECT
PAPER ASSIGNMENT: CHOOSE ONE TOPIC BELOW

Topic #1 Oral History of an Immigrant

Interview a family member or friend who is an immigrant regarding their experience adapting to life in the United States (the participant must have been old enough to remember emigrating). Prepare by writing open-ended interview questions asking your research participant to tell you about their immigration experiences.

Address the following:

• Why did they move? What was difficult?
• Did they gain/lose anything?
• How have their values changed as a result of their experience? Do they see this as positive or negative?
• Connect their experiences with the FIVE (5) anthropological concepts listed below:

o Marriage/Courtship – How do marriage/courtship practices compare between the U.S. and their home country?
o Work/Education – What kind of jobs did they/their family have in home country? How about educational opportunities? Compare with jobs/education in the U.S.
o Health – What was healthcare like in home country? What did they do if they got sick? Did they have any alternative remedies?
o Language – Is communication difficult for them in the U.S.? Why or why not?
o Race/Racism – What is their experience with racism in home country or U.S.? (If no personal experience, ask about the subject generally).
Use key terms like PUSHES AND PULLS, Bridges and barriers, CHAIN MIGRATION, HOMETOWN ASSOC., LABOR IMMIGRANT, AND OR SOCIAL CAPITAL
Write their immigration story as an anthropologist; be as detailed as possible. TIP: Refer to Chapter 13 in our textbook for some important ideas and terms related to this topic