Post #3

So far I have not done any research yet for my field study, which is Cru. I haven't even interviewed anyone, but If I were I would have some good questions for them. I plan on asking an insider what they like about Cru, what keeps them coming back, how do they think people (outsiders) view them, what would they think makes Cru a subculture, and follow up questions that may arise during the interview. For an interview of an outsider, I would ask them if they have heard of Cru and if so, what do they know about it, do they like it, do they dislike it, why they like or dislike Cru, and any follow up questions that would come up during the interview. I feel these questions are important because they give me an up-close and personal level of the organization. Also, because they provide lots of good information needed. I haven't been to my cultural site yet, but I will be at one of my cultural sites tomorrow, which is Pruis Hall, where Cru has their weekly worship. I'm not sure what new questions and expectations I will have when I begin to research my subculture, but I hope there are a lot of them. I have not attempted any academic research so far for this class. As for academic and non-academic there are a couple of differences. The academic one is going to the library and searching for sources and using those sources for research.  the non-academic one is more about what the researcher finds in interviews and surveys. He tends to put in more personal feeling towards his writing.

Possible Field Sites

I have chosen, at the moment, the subculture of Campus Crusade for Christ, or Cru. I am somewhat of an insider, but fairly new, so that bit of mystery is still there. There are quite a few possible field sites in my upcoming research. Those locations are Pruis Hall, the Atrium, members' houses, Mysch and Hurst Halls, and any place members may hang out. At Pruis Hall, Cru has their weekly worship. There is a large stage, with a much larger seating area. The back wall is usually covered by a projection screen, which is used for announcements, videos, and worship. It is a fun and loving atmosphere, which is characteristic of all Cru locations. The Atrium is a popular hangout mainly because it is located in the middle of campus, and a Cru member can get lunch or dinner there, and is able see his or her friends. Usually on the weekends, members hangout at someone's house, and have fun. Bible studies are held in most halls, if not all. Mysch and Hurst hall is just one of the many options for bible study. I'm not exactly sure of what I hope to learn about my subculture, except for, more about it. Their rituals, inside jokes, certain behaviors, events, stuff like that. 

Fixed and Subjective Positions

My fixed positions of being a new person involved in Cru will have some impact. I might not be able to find the best people to interview for my research. Other than that my fixed positions should not have too much impact on my research.  My Subjective positions will have a bit more of an impact on my writing than my fixed positions, but not much. From personal experience I have enjoyed going to Cru, so my writing might be praised-based, instead of a neutral observer. 

Subculture Preparation

1. My sources of data will include interviews of people involved within the organization of Campus Crusade for Christ with observations.

2. The most beneficial method would be interviews, especially since there is probably not much of documentation on the campus organization, along with observations.

3. I expect ethical behavior but also behavior of close friendship, fun and games, but also a level of seriousness due to the importance of what the organization brings to its members, which is a place where Christians can not only grow in their faith and learn, but also make new, amazing friendships that could last a lifetime.  

eivom

Every other weekend, my girlfriend and I will spend about an hour to two hours in a large room full of comfortable, squishy, purple chairs with armrests. Before I meet up with my girlfriend I always clean myself up. This involves getting under a hose that sprays water, and rubbing a small rectangle-shaped object over my body. Afterwards I would get dry, and put on some nice pieces of fabric, and add a pleasant, scented spray. Finally I would go and pick her up, which involves a ride in a big box on wheels that can go really fast, and then we would arrive to a large building with a huge cement block in front of it. We would then go inside and give somebody green pieces of paper so that we can get in. Next, we get in a long line of people, and wait to get food and drinks. Again, I have to give up some of my green paper. Then we finally go into the big room, and spend about two hours whispering to each other and cuddling, while watching something on the big wall in front of us. 

A Recent Work

Last semester, I wrote a sermon, which I presented to my church. I had about four weeks to work on it, and it was basically everything that I have figured out in my Christian faith, my incomplete journey towards God. 

All of my main ideas, which seemed to have no relation at all, were written in one night, about two weeks before the big day to present it. It was a huge brainstorm. I prayed, I listened to music, I worshipped, I listened. The difficult part was getting all of the ideas to seem relative to each other. I needed transitions badly. It was a matter of simply putting down a few sentences to make the ideas relate, but I struggled immensely with that. Without transitions my sermon would have been a complete mess that made no sense whatsoever. Eventually though, I came up with the needed transitions that made my sermon a hit, but it would not have been that way if I hadn't revised and edited it.

Revising and editing are very similar in the sense that they are both meant to make a paper better, but they are different also. Editing is mainly grammar stuff, while revision has to do with the content of the work. If I were to edit a paper, I would check for spelling and grammar mistakes. For revision, I would look at the content of the paper, and make sure the ideas are stated clearly, and sensibly.