Participant-Observation Project

Project/ Assignment 1: Participant-Observation Project

Attend a congressional (House or Senate) and/or city council hearing; or observe the advocacy or
public policy activities of a non-profit organizations focusing on social justice, civil rights, climate
change, or related issues. Prepare a 2-3 page reflection paper. If you attend a hearing, do not repeat
verbatim what was said by each person but rather, identify committee members, discuss the
attending committee members interactions, who gave testimony, what party and/or who was chairing
the meeting, what was the issue being discussed and why, and your reaction to attending the hearing.
The participant-observation project is designed to improve one’s ability to observe and interpret
activities, writing and critical thinking skills.