Friday, September 20, 2013
Potential Local Inquiry Project fieldsites
For this weekend's blog post, I would like you share with us and tell us about the three potential fieldsites for your local inquiry project this semester. Remember that these potential sites should satisfy all of the criteria listed on the "do-ability" handout I gave you in class. Also, remember that passion, investment, and/or your own intellectual engagement with the place should also (heavily) factor in to your decision of a place to study. I can't emphasize enough how the quality of your writing improves when you are fully engaged in the topic about which you're writing. So, your post should consist of three short paragraphs, each one dedicated to responding to these questions about each of the places on your list of 3: 1. Where? Where is this place, what is it called, and what is its purpose? 2. Why THIS place? What does it mean to you? Why does it pique your curiosity or pull at your heartstrings? 3. How? How will you get into this place and gain access to people? Who will be your guide, if neccesary? Thank you! I look forward to learning about the fieldsites you're considering!
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The first potential field site I think im going to study is the life of Willard Hall. It is on campus and it is where I live. I think this place would be fun and easy because I live there, it's a fun enviroment, and I spend most of my time in there anyway. I am curious about this place because there is Willard Hall A-N and I am in B, so there is alot more to explore. I live there so it's easy to gain access to it and I know people from other Willard Halls that ccan let me in.
ReplyDeleteThe second potential field working site I might study is the student parking lot outside of the dorms. I think this would be interesting especially at night. I have already seen a lot of things that could be very interesting to put down on paper. This place is close by and there are always people doing lord knows what there.
The third potential field site is the cafe. Im pretty sure it's the same thing that goes on all the time but I hope I am wrong because I havent spent much time in there. This place is under the student union and it is where kids go to eat food and chill at late at night. I am curious about this place beacause I know it is a cool hangout spot for most students. It's easy to get there and I know there will be students there most of the time.
My fist potential site would have to be the group home my mom works at. It is called Delta Projects Inc. and there are several of them located in Massachusetts. Delta Projects deals with housing and caring for people with mental illnesses and disabilities. These illnesses and disabilities vary from Bipolar disorder to Down syndrome. This would be perfect because I would get more of an inside look on how things run, and my mom would help me get interviews with the right people without me feeling like such an outsider. I also have met one or two of these clients in the group home and I would love to know how they deal with these issues. This is a really interesting place for me, and even though my mother has been working there for quite some time, I’ve really never got an inside look. I’m also thinking about maybe majoring in management, and I want to know how it is to manage a place like this. My second potential site may be Youth In Action located in Providence. I know some people that work there and help the community. I’m also really into seeing people achieve goals and have a positive outlook on life. It is also a place that accepts anyone that is different. Being yourself is one of the greatest things I admire in life. The third potential place for my local inquiry project may be the Spike’s Junkyard Dogs place that I wrote about. Even though this is my last choice, I still am just in general very curious about the history of this establishment and how they run the place. I live right near it and I just can’t help feeling inquisitive.
ReplyDeleteMy first field site option would have to be Pawtucket House of Pizza. This legendary pizzeria is located on Smithfield Ave. in Pawtucket. I would choose this place because I feel like the food is delicious and it leaves a mark on everyone that eats there. Growing up around that neighborhood, I got to eat there often and everyone loves it. I could easily go there and have access to the costumers and workers. A second field site choice would be the rec center. It’s located on campus which is convenient and would be easy for me to study. I am interested in fitness and sports so it would easily keep my attention and interest. I believe it’s relatively new and I would enjoy learning of the process of building it or expanding it or even the history of the old rec center. My third choice option would be Wicket Ink Tattoos in Lincoln Rhode Island. That is also next to where I grew up and I have walked by the place countless times. I do not have any tattoos but I planned on getting some recently. The location makes it easy to go to and check it out as well. Tattoos are an art and I find all the various different type of arts interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe first field site that I would consider to study would be the history of Rhode Island hospital. I would like to study this place because I have seen some old pictures with in the halls and the old photographs have peeked my interest. I can get there with out a problem and have strong ties to many of the doctors and other faculty members.
ReplyDeleteAnother possible site would be investigating the tomorrow fund clinic at Hasbro children’s hospital I have strong emotional ties to this establishment. I also have many contacts here that could be valuable in assisting me in my research.
The last potential field site that I would be interested in researching would be the Brown medical school. I would be interested in researching this place because I would like to attend there some day and it would be cool to know more about the history as well as what life of a medical student. I also have contacts here that could assist me in my research there as well.
Down the road is the abandoned children's amusement park, The Enchanted Forest. It exists kind of in a pitiful existence, because no one will buy the land or clean it up from the remains of the rotting park, but it'd be sad to see it disappear after so many years existing there. So many times I tell myself I'm going to jump the concrete barricade into the parking lot, literally just cracked pavement, swamped in mosses and wild-grass, but I never do. It's kind of in the same idea that I never really went when I was a kid, yet we'd go up to Storyland, or Santa's Village, states and hours away, but this less than ten minutes away. I'm probably going to end up doing this because I need to one day. I also know people who'd know more about it, as in to the mystery of why it really closed down. I'm going to say; underground meth lab. Or at least that'd be an interesting find.
ReplyDeleteI can remember Beaver River Playground just a little bit, but they're kind of spread out occurences. One time I went as a kid and I distinctly remember being stung in the face by the plethora of bees that are always there. I can remember going once with my mom and once with my dad; separately as, they fell apart from each other's sight, then contact, and then apart altogether. There's actually a good reason I'm considering it, because it's nearing fall and the bees are gone by now. Which I'm okay with. I don't have one ounce of a clue as to the history of the place, but they keep it pretty in tact if I remember right. Which you can't say to most playgrounds, fields, and just public institutions in general in southern RI. So that's good.
Maybe the lighter third will do nice, paired with the others. There's a bike path that goes from Kingston train station to somewhere in Narraganset and it's really new and well done. Haley's told me she's gone on it before and there's an ice cream shop somewhere along the way, and how beautiful the trees and wildlife lined up the path are. It's a happy memory for her. I could go biking from start to finish, eight miles of nature. There's a couple problems with it though. Problem one: I don't know if I can still do that. I don't bike as often. Problem two: my bike currently has a flat tire. But if I worked on repairing those two issues, one literally, I'd like it. Along the trail there's little places to stop, and look at the world around you. Something we don't do too often.
The first field site I would like to study is the State Ballet of Rhode Island. This place is in Lincoln, Rhode Island and my purpose is to try and find out the whole background information on the history of the studio. This place spiked my interest because it holds a lot of meaning to me. I used to attend the studio growing up, along with my sisters, and I really want to find out more about it. This place is about 15 minutes from Rhode Island College and my home. My sister will go with me for the interviews and to visit. We will probably be talking with the owner of the studio and her daughter.
ReplyDeleteThe second field site I would study is Wrights Dairy Farm in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. The purpose of studying this place is that it has many years of history to it which would make the field study be eventful and meaningful. This place holds meaning to my family and I for many years now. I would go there to get milk and pastries once a week, and now we are continuing this tradition with my niece. This place is easy to find information on and get interviews with workers. It is close to RIC and my home.
The third field site I would study is Jazzercise in Greenville, Rhode Island. The purpose of studying this place is that I want to get to know more about when it began, and who started the program. This place holds meaning to me because I attend classes with my sister there. This place is 10 minutes from the RIC campus, and I would be able to interview the owner of the studio. I would probably end up going with my sister to all these interviews.
My first option for a field site to study would be Bradley Hospital located in Riverside. I chose this because my 5 year old brother was admitted there for behavioral problems a few months ago and it has emotionally impacted my life and my family's as well. My second choice would be Alpha Beauty which is a hair salon located in Warwick, Rhode Island I would choose this place because it's where I go and it interests me because it is something I want to do on the side. It would be easily accessible because my friend's mom owns it and my friend works there so I would have guidance. My third choice for a field site would be to study Slater Mill in Pawtucket, and discover the history of it and why It's such a significant place here in Pawtucket. I don't know much of anything about it at all but it interests me.
ReplyDeleteOne potential field site that I would be interested in going to would have to be Parentes’ Restaurant. It’s a restaurant in Smithfield, RI and is next door to Bryant College; approximately fifteen minutes away. I have been going there since I could remember and there are probably many things I could find out about this place.
ReplyDeleteAn additional field site I would like to look into would be Brown Avenue Elementary School. It’s located in Johnston, RI. I mainly chose this place because I want to become a teacher when I am older and would love to learn more about it. I would like to see the teacher’s views of the place, how they teach, and even the story behind their careers. In addition, I did my internship there during my senior year of high school and I only dealt with the children rather than the adults who teach them. I would love to return to expand my experience in other areas in the building! And to top it off, it’s only 7 minutes from my house.
The last field site I would like to go to is the Children’s museum, located in Providence Rhode Island. Not only does this place seem like a fun field site - but I will also gain experience working with children. I can learn all about how this place started and what drives people to work here or work with children in general. My friend works here which is hopefully one way I can get into this place and it is about twenty minutes away.
Three potential places I am interested in doing my field study on are: my dad's church; where he preaches god's word, Roger William's Park, and (stealing Alexis' idea), Bradley Hospital. I've chosen these three for different reasons. First my dad's church, because it's where him and the people who listen to him spend most of their time. It's a place where my dad feels complete, and a place that has brought him and I closer together as a family. It's been a place that has allowed my dad, and many others to grow, learn, and change for the better. I'm not really familiar with this place, being that i've only ever been there like twice. But it seems like a very interesting and inviting place that I would be gladly to observe, and learn from. Secondly, I chose Roger William's park because it is a place that is very historical and interesting to be in. In all my times visiting the park (which is very, very often), I always find new things to gaze at and find. It is a place that holds many memories of mine, and because of that I think it would be fun to create new memories in and learn some more about. Last but not least I chose Bradley Hospital, not because it's my least favorite of the three but because it is a place that as a human being have personally experienced and learned from. I think it would be interesting to get to the know the historical context of the place, and observe from the inside the technicalities and importance of the place. It is a place that had touched my life for a second and I think seems very different than any other place to observe.
ReplyDeleteThe first potential field site that I had in mind was Conimicut Pt. Park, which is located in Conimicut Village in my hometown of Warwick. It’s purpose I believe is to bring joy and relaxation to the people that visit it. I chose this place because I have visited it as a child with my family and recently with some friends and every time I have been there I have seen some pretty interesting things and it also helped relax me and holds some of my memories there. It brings me curiosity because I know that there are some memorials there and I would love to find out more about these memorials and whom they are for, I also see some interesting things there and want to know what it means for the other people I see there. There are people there all the time and I could nicely go up to them and speak to them.
ReplyDeleteThe next field site I was thinking of doing was the Warwick Public Library, which is only a few blocks away from my house. I have been here ever since I was a child and yet I never get books there I usually just tag along with my family or friends and it piques my curiosity because I always see many people my age there either reading, or doing homework. I’d love to ask them some questions about reading and why do they go to the library to do homework, etc.
The last field site I had in mind was the León Mathieu Senior Center, which is located in Pawtucket. My mother works there and tells me all these stories about the seniors I’d love to be able to just spend a day with them and see what kinds of things my mother does at her job. I’d also like to ask some of the seniors about their lives and ask them what are their favorite activities that the senior center does because my mother usually plans some of them.
The first potential place for my inquiry project is Allen's Harbor. The harbor is located in Quonset and it houses boats and has access to the bay and the ocean. Since it is located in Quonset it is easy for me to gain access to and with all the people that go fishing there I will have no problem finding people to talk to about it.
ReplyDeleteThe next place is Dave's Marketplace which is also located in Quonset. I work there but I don't know much about it's history and I know I will be able to talk to many people about it's history. I will also be able to get customers' opinions about their experiences and whether they like it or not.
The last place is Narragansett Bay. I chose this place because I love the water and I go fishing on the bay most weekends in the summer. I have easy access to it since I live at home and it is close by. Also, I know most of the wildlife that lives there, but there is still a lot of mystery to the bay that I would love to uncover.
My first potential field site would be what I wrote about for my unfamiliar place, the Oak Lawn Grange. This large, red building is located about five minutes away from my house. From what I know, this building is available for rent and many events are held there throughout the year. Ever since I moved into my house over ten years ago this building has been right down the street. I've walked by it, driven by it, and even sat at the picnic benches that are behind the building. I've always wondered its historical background and even the meaning of its sign. On the sign located under where it says "Oak Lawn Grange" it states, "P of H N 42." I've always wondered what that meant and it's significance to the building. On old white sign located in the corner of the street in front of the building it says "Rent" with a phone number. For the researching I plan on calling that number and speaking to whoever may be in charge of the building and talking to them about its historical background.
ReplyDeleteMy second potential place would be LaSalle Academy. This school is located in Providence not too far from RIC. The private high school is old and still a very beautiful campus. I've always wondered what it was like inside, how it is to go there, and how the classes are compared to the private school. A good way to explore this school would be by asking students how it is to go there and by calling the school and talking to the office staff. Also by looking at their school website I could get some background information on the school.
Finally, my last field site option would be the Jack-O-Larten Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo. This event occurs every year and is a great form of entertainment around the fall and Halloween season. This event peaks my curiosity because I've seen so many pictures and heard about it so much but I've never been there. All the beautiful carvings and lights out all around seems like a perfect thing to walk around and enjoy during this time of year. A good way to get I to this would be by looking it up online, calling the Roger Williams Zoo, or even contacting one of the artists and speaking to them about it.
About a year ago I work with a friend of mine that had made short videos and movies for his YouTube channel. Every month would work on a different video that were mostly to show our skills in video effects. Most of the video did not have a specific story or barely had any audio; they were just classic “shoot them up” videos. A couple of months ago we were scouting for new places to shoot our next video and I told him that I knew about a place not far from where I live that we could potentially use for the new video.
ReplyDeleteThe place is an abandoned factory that is situated about four blocks from where I live. It’s an industrial zone near Pocasset Avenue and the abandoned building is surrounded but other factories and old buildings. From the outside it looks like the any normal factory, deteriorated by time with rusted metal fences and a large parking lot. Once inside you can tell actual reason why it has become an abandoned building. You can tell it has burned down by the black stains on the walls and fallen down ceiling.
On one side of the building there was a sing with a realtor’s number on it. I decided to call the number to see if I could get any information about the owner and see if I could ask permission to use the premises without any problems. Unfortunately I never got a hold of anybody and that just drove me to break into the building whenever I need it to- Milton Basswerner
My first potential fieldsite is Summit General Store. The store is located at the end of my street and has been there for many years. My grandmother worked there until the day she died, and my mom and her 3 sisters worked there throughout high school. The store is like a second home to everyone in my small town, It's impossible to go there without finding someone you know to talk to. I would love to talk to the owners and find out more about it's history.
ReplyDeleteMy second option is the Mystic Aquarium. It was my favorite place to go when I was a kid but I haven't been in years. I would love to study it as an excuse to go back and relive my childhood! It would be very interesting to find out when it opened and the history behind it.
My final option is the Psychology department here at RIC. I'm a psych major, and I think it would be both interesting and beneficial for me to meet the faculty, learn the history of the program, and learn about the different courses the department has to offer.
My first potential field site is Wareham Free Library. It is my town's library that is down the street from my house. Anyone can take out books, audio books, magazines, CD’s, and movies as long as they have a library card; which is free. This place piques my curiosity because I have grown up in Wareham, MA since I was about 8 and used to always go with my family to pick a book or movie. I will get to this place and gain access to people by going home for a weekend with my family.
ReplyDeleteMy second potential field site is the Briarwood beach near my house. It is an “estuary”, which is a mix of salt and fresh water. It is located in West Wareham, MA which is where I live and my house is the second from this beach. This place piques my curiosity because I recently moved to the Briarwood neighborhood about a year ago and began to love this beach near my new house. I will get to this place and gain access to people by going home for a weekend with my family.
My third potential field site is The Murray Center here at Rhode Island College. It is a building used for sports events as well as theatre performances such as dance and plays. This place piques my curiosity because I have never walked around this building or gone to any events hosted in it. I will get to this place and gain access to people by going there and walking around during my free time since I live on campus.
Thank you for your good ideas, folks, and to those of you who haven't posted yet...where are you?????
ReplyDeleteIt's almost time to saddle up. Some of you need to rethink your ideas; some of you are nearly on your way. But, please do not fret. We are being deliberate so that you manage to enjoy your own writing for the rest of the semester. Your choices now affect all of your writing assignments for the rest of the semester! Choose a fieldsite and subculture that really is engaging to you!
The field site that I have chosen is a place from my hometown called Riverbend Farm. It’s a trail alongside the Blackstone River and Canal. If you walk one way down the trail you can see a waterfall and if you walk the other way it will lead you to an old mill that use to run on the river. This place has a lot of meaning to me from my childhood as well as now. I go here all the time to think and to just enjoy the outdoors. There are a lot of different people that go here, mostly locals. I know what this place means to me but I’m curious as to what other people see in it. If it weren’t for my personal memories and experiences I would think it’s just a hiking trail for people to go running, fishing, and walking. I want to know why the people that go there go there. Why they chose this location to Paint or to go running or to go fishing every day. Why the people that go there every day do go there every day and why they just don’t mix it up. I’m very excited to begin this project.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katerina! I am pleased that you've caught up and am excited for your local inquiry project on the trail! A great season to be outdoors! Thank you.
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