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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Bass fishing; Ethnology--Methodology;

Abstract

The Angler's Angle is an ethnographic (cultural description) of the bass fishermen . The purpose of this thesis is two-fold: (1) to present a better understanding of the ethnographic process and its usefulness as a too l within the social sciences, and (2) to illustrate this usefulness by the study of a cultural scene that often goes unnoticed in our Western society. An examination in Chapter 1 on the background of cultural studies (undertaken for the most part to de scribe non-Western societies), sets the tone for the use of ethnography today. Research on sub-cultures within our own society is now revealing structural complexities or systems of meaning not only often overlooked, but at times quite different from that experienced by the dominant culture. Chapter 2 is devoted to a discussion of the methodology used to conduct the study of the bass fishermen, or any ethnography based primarily on the interview technique. James P. Spradley's Developmental Research Sequence (1979) has been revised in detail for this purpose. The sequence, or series of steps, is designed to help the ethnographer select his or her informants, pose questions significant to eliciting pertinent information, analyze the collected data, and formulate a comprehensive written ethnography. Reference is also made to Spradley's research sequence concerning participant observation (Spradley, 1980). When combined, these two techniques offer a holistic view of the cultural scene under study. The goal of ethnography is to elucidate the native or insider's point of view, his cultural knowledge and his understanding of this knowledge that directs his behavior and actions.

Year of Submission

1984

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

First Advisor

Ronald Roberts

Second Advisor

Jerry D. Stockdale

Third Advisor

Thomas W. Hill

Comments

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Date Original

1984

Object Description

1 PDF file (159 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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