Observation

What is going on in the field site?
Many sororities have certain philanthropy/charities that they work to help by fund raising. It is usually by car wash, selling tickets, bake sells, putting on a show, and etc. I am at a bowling ally watching sorority sisters selling tickets.

How do the members of the subculture interact with each other?
I think sorority sisters interact with each other the same way any girls would, except with the hand-signs that represent their sorority‘s Greek name, screaming each others names, and constant hugging each other. All sororities have different hand-signs.

Make a list of terminology used at the field site with which you might be unfamiliar.

• Philanthropy
• National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
• Colony
• Chapter Advisor
• Badge
• Alumni Associations

What details, behaviors, surroundings did you have questions about?
I really did not have any questions for the sorority members, except for the terminology. The decorations are decorated in the colors of the sorority; every sororities have their own colors. There is also a sign with the Greek letters of the sorority’s name.

Find at least one person at your field site you can speak to and ask them a question about something you observed that you didn't understand.
The only question I have for the sorority members is the terminologies.

• Philanthropy- Community services that the sorority donate time, money, and energy towards.
• National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)- The governing body of twenty-six national and international sororities.
• Colony- A new organization working towards becoming a charter of a international fraternity and/or sorority
• Chapter Advisor- An alumna/ alumnus who establishes and maintain a close advisory relationship with a charter and serves as a teacher, counselor, and friend.
• Badge- The pin of a initial member.
• Alumni Associations- An organization of alumni from a individual fraternity or sorority.

ACT V Questions

What make this fieldsite a good fieldsite in studying this particular subculture?
The author of the paper was studying Prison Performing Arts Program and what better way to get to know the subculture than to actually involve yourself in that subculture.

What observations did the author make that is particularly useful in this subculture?
the author first observe the inmates as actors, then realize that they (inmates) are convected murderers and rapists. the author explain the way the actors were on stage as if they were completely different people.

What are the norms and values of the subculture?
The inmates value the respect that the program offers. The inmates fill like they are treated like humans. The inmates also values the knowledge that they obtained.

What interview techniques did the author us to understand the subculture?
The author uses interviews from participates, from the play, to enhance the pathos appeal. The author uses the interviews as a way to get the inmates to describe the subculture. The interviews also shows how much the inmates has changed over the years since their condemnation.

Greek Life

Topic: Greek Life

Huchting, Karen, Andrew Lac, and Joseph W. LaBrie. “An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviors to Sorority Alcohol Consumption.” Addictive Behaviors 33:4 (2008): 583-551. ScienceDirect. Georgia State University Lib., Atlanta, GA. 13 Mar. 2008.

Valen, Kelly. “My Sorority Pledge? I Swore Off Sisterhood.” New York Times. 157:54146 (2007): 6. LexisNexis Academic. Georgia State University Lib., Atlanta, GA. 13 Mar. 2008. <www.lexisnexis.com/us/inacademic>

Johnson, Kristen B. and Bryan K. Saville. “Years In College and Sorority Membership In Predicting Self-Esteem of a Sample of College Women.” Psychological Report 101:3 (2007): 907-912. EBSCOhost. Georgia State University Lib., Atlanta, GA. 13 Mar. 2008. <http://www.ebscohost.com>

Basow, Susan A., Jamila Bookwala, and Kelly A. Foran. “Body Objectification, Social Pressure, and Distorted Eating Behavior in College Women: The Role of Sorority Membership.” Psychology of Women Quarterly 31:4 (2007): 394-400. EBSCOhost. Georgia State University Lib., Atlanta, Ga. 13 Mar. 2008. <http://www.ebscohost.com>

Robbins, Alexandra. Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities. New York: Hyperion, 2004.

Reflection:

Greek life have always interest me. Since coming to college, I have wanted to join a sorority because it seems fun and a good way to meet new people; at least that is what the sororities said. Honestly I do not know what exactly to expect from joining a sorority, but I am willing to find out. But I changed my view of sororities after reading “My Sorority Pledge? I Swore Off Sisterhood.” My view of sorority is most likely all people’s view of sorority; the stereotypical view of sororities. Sure sorority girls go out and party, but I did not know about the dangers that are involved and the humiliation of your actions.