Assignment 1 Revision 2

8/14/2019 Assignment 1 Revision 2

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Observation Assignment 1 Shaw 1

Site Location: Fretwell

Description of Location: The Fretwell caf is located on the lower most level of theFretwell building. The caf is rather large for a caf and is comprised of tables, chairs,

food and drinks. The caf has around 30 tables each contains either 2 or 4 chairs. In the

center of the caf close to the inside wall, the cash register and food is located. On theother side against the outside wall there is a series of fridges setup with various drinks.

There are several entrances, one located on the innermost wall of the caf accessed by

students getting out of class, another located on the outermost wall easily accessed by

individuals that are passing the building from the outside, and last but not least an

emergency exit located near the cash register.

Figured World: A figured world is a setting in which actors and artifacts are

recognized.A figured worldI s constructed based on the cul ture and the social

perspective. In a figured world a group or set of actors interact in a certain way

based on the location and envir onment around them.

Rules and Conventions: The figured world I will be observing isthe Fretwell Caf.

This establishment located on the first floor of the Fretwell building draws various

crowds. The Fretwell Caf is a business owned by the University. Many people study in

this space, enjoy drinks, refreshments, and or other food items. The location of this caf

is significant because students that have classes in Fretwell primarily use it. Some people

use this caf to study for upcoming quizzes and or tests, to complete homework, or to

prepare for upcoming classes. Others use it to catch up with friends, to grab breakfast, or

to relax in-between classes. I will be observing this caf during the morning and during

mid-day to compare and contrast the various activities and to compile how those

activities may or may not change from one part of the day to the next. Some activities are

obviously not appropriate in this establishment. For example people should not enter the


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caf yelling or cursing. The overall mood of the caf is relaxed and serious so being

boisterous and or overly loud is not acceptable in this location. Talking and conversation

is acceptable but only at appropriate levels. Visitors need to be courteous of others and

understand that not everyone is there to socialize. Many are at the caf for activities such

as studying. I believe that some individuals may become a distraction to other visitors in

the caf that are trying to do school work and or study. Some individuals will violate

what is not acceptable and will be at fault for other visitors distractions and or failures to

complete assignments at this location. I also expect to find visitors at Fretwell Caf to

complete tasks and or other actions that I have not hypothesized.

Actor: An actor is an individual that is recognized interacting with artifacts within

a given figured world. Actors are influenced by the figurative world they are a part

of and the artifacts in which they interact with. Actors either follow the norms of the

fi gured wor ld or they go against it.

Students: Men and Women that visit the Fretwell for a variety of reasonsincluding but not limited to: food, coffee, drinks, study time, homework, groupconversations, dates, and to kill time. I am an actor within this figured world as Irecorded observations in the caf. I have also purchased food and coffee from this

caf. As an actor I know what it feels like to sit in Fretwell caf for various

reasons. I have studied in the caf before math tests so I am aware of the variousrules; like being quiet and courteous to others.

Professors: Men and Women that visit Fretwell for a variety of reasons similar tothat of Students but may include: meetings with colleagues, grade papers, enter

information into the computer, update moodle, and talk on the phone.

Employees: Men and Women that work at Fretwell on a regular basis providingcustomers (students, professors, etc.) with food, beverages, coffees and etc. These

individuals handle transactions, preparations of food, cleaning, and maintainingthe caf overall.

Artifacts: An artifact is an object that has aplace within the figured world and

usually plays a role in the way actors interact in the figured world. Artifacts

may influence the actors and often promote certain actions within the given figured

world.

Tables: Used by employees, students, professors, and customers for a variety ofreasons. Students usually use the tables to hold their homework, computer, and

food. Professors usually use these tables to hold their food, coffee, computer, andor assignments that are being graded. Employees use the tables for breaks to eat

or just relax with their phone. Chairs:Chairs are used by various customers. Everyone that uses a chair, uses it

to sit at a table.

Discourse Communities: A discourse community is a group of people that tend to do

the same simi lar action.

Studious: Many students use the caf to study for upcoming classes. Theseindividuals desire to do well on their test or quiz.


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Homework Completers:Many students and professors use the caf to completehomework, review the homework, or grade the homework. These individuals

have good work ethic and desire to complete various actions involving

homework.

Computer Users:Many individuals in the caf use their computers for varioustasks. These individuals use their computer for a variety of activities that rangefrom academics to social networking.

Eaters and Drinkers: Some individuals visit the caf for snacks, lunch, drinks,and deserts. These individuals are either hungry, thirsty or are craving a certainfood.

Observation One

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Time: 4:20PM-5:10PM

4:20PMThere are about 10 people sitting around in the Fretwell Caf spread out across

the seemingly large caf room. The tables vary in size and sit either 2 or 4 people. Some

of the tables are closer to others while some are placed in odd places. Tables are placed

just about everywhere but some are more appealing than others. Some tables are placed

out of the way in corners or behind fixtures. Most of the individuals right now are sitting

at tables by themselves. There is only one couple in the caf. The couple is dressed up

and looks like they could be professors.

4:30PMThere are various individuals that seem strongly engaged in their homework

on their computer. Talking is absent at the moment but thus far has remained at a low.

The only real noise in the caf is the various machines that make ice, coffee and other


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items. At closer inspection it is clear that the ice machine is the loudest thing in the entire

caf.

4:40PMPeople have started entering Fretwell caf and heading directly to the line for

food. Many are looking at the menu and deciding what to order. Those that already know

what they are ordering simply walk to the front of the line and order the food and orcoffee of their choice. A police officer just entered and walked from the entrance over to

the open top refrigerator. She looks at the drinks for a moment and decided to pick up the

Naked beverage and proceed directly out of the caf through the back entrance.

4:50PMThe caf phone just started to ring for the first time since I have been in the

Fretwell Caf. Of the remaining 5 students diligently working on their laptops all but one

looked up when the phone began to ring. The phone seems to be a distracting noise in a

place like this caf where silence is key.

5:00PM

Activity has started to pick up as more people have started entering the caf.The jump in activity may have something to do with many classes getting out at 4:45PM

today. A line of students and professors is forming at the kitchen desk and the employees

are beginning to work at a faster pace.

5:10PMTen minutes have passed and the noise level is at an all time high. The line at

the kitchen desk is moving quickly which is good for the individuals that are running

from here to their next class.

Table of 2 and

location of Nakeddrinks mentioned in

observation.


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Observation Two

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Time: 1:45PM-2:25PM

1:45PMFretwell Caf is much busier today. The seats are packed and there are no

seats to spare. The line is currently very long and stretches from the cash register all theway to the outside door. At this moment there are four employees on duty and they are

working frantically to serve everyone in line in a quickly and orderly manner.

1:55PMTen minutes have passed but the entire room has changed completely. People

are getting up and leaving presumably to head to their next class. Tables have started to

open up and the employees seem less stressed than they were 10 minutes ago.

2:10PMLooking around I can see two different types of people. One group of students

is in Fretwell for academic reasons. The other group is in Fretwell for the Caf services.

The academic students are sitting around at scattered tables with their glowing apple

logos typing papers, completing online math homework, and reading emails. Some

students are standing in line waiting for a bite to eat.

2:20PMOne student just walked in and appears to be in a hurry. He walks up to the

Caf worker quickly and asks for an Ice coffee. Unfortunately the caf worker politely

tells the student that they are out of ice. Apparently the ice machine is now broken.

2:25PMThis caf is nearly a ghost town. There are only 5 of us left in the Caf and it

is no longer as loud as it was. Everything interesting appears to have left and the

remaining students are hard at work completely essays, texting, and just looking around

awkwardly. One individual appears to be watching me closely from across the room.Maybe they are doing the same observation that I am.

Hours of

Operation


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Observation Three

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Time: 4:45PM-6:15PM

4:45PMFretwell currently has light traffic. A few people are coming and going but for

the most part nothing interesting is going on. A student with a red book bag just bought a

sandwich and is walking to an empty table eating it.

5:00PMTwo men are sitting two my right and look important. They are discussing the

university leading me to believe they are important figures at our school. One individual

is discussing funds and asking the other one if he would like excess funds. Workers are

working at a steady but not extremely busy pace. One worker is making a coffee and the

other is making a sandwich for a student that looks very hungry.

5:10PMPace has picked up as more individuals are entering the caf for food and

drinks. The ice machine appears to be working today so individuals appear to be in a

happier and more relaxed mood. One girl is walking back to her seat with her sandwich.She dropped something but it looks like it was just her phone. It would have been tragic if

she had dropped her sandwich instead.

5:20PMOne employee is washing her hands in what appears to be a closet. It must just

be a small employee accessible room. Many of the tables have filled up but five tables

reaming leaving 14 available seats for new visitors.

Fretwell Caf

Beverages

located near

rear Exit.


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5:25PMAnother employee has entered the closet to wash their hands. The two

important looking individuals are now standing up and it appears they are getting ready to

leave. They have started moving closer to the exit and are now walking through the exit

door to leave Fretwell caf.

5:35PM

Laughter is at an all time high as people are entering the caf. An employeejust dropped a plastic fixture and appears to be getting scolded by a superior or manager.

The manager keeps repeating that costs 80 dollars. The scolded employee, obviously a

student doesnt seem shaken and is back at work.

5:45PMThe girl sitting at the table next to me is looking over my shoulder at what I

am doing. She is most likely reading exactly what I am typing now. She is now talking on

the phone, or pretending to in order to play off that I know she is being nosey.

6:00PMFretwell is a center of gossip today sitting around me seems to be talking bad

about people. One girl is criticizing one of her room mates to what appears to be herboyfriend. Other tables are talking about how hard classes are. The only quite table in this

caf at this exact point and time is me of course and a student sitting on the other side

writing on a piece of paper.

6:15PMThe police officer mentioned in an earlier observation is back in the caf this

time socializing with the employees. She must be friends with them because they are all

gathered around laughing loudly about something. Maybe she gets free drinks because

she is friends with the workers.

Fretwell Caf

Inside Entrance


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Interviewer:Jacob Shaw

Interviewed Individual: Hannah Pulliam (UNCC Student)

Date: 9/12/13

Tell me about how you use this Caf? Have you tried the food or coffee?

I have used the caf several times. I like to get snacks in between classes. I got some

wasabi nuts just the other day! I have studied in the caf before but it is not the best place

in my opinion to study.

Explain how you view this establishment? What do you believe is its most useful

aspect?

The most useful aspect of the Fretwell Caf is it location. It is in a good place because it

is accessible between classes. I dont have to walk all the way to the student union if I

need something to eat or drink.

Why are some people coming and going so quickly in comparison to others?

Most people are stopping by quickly to get something to satisfy their hunger. It is

accessed the most from my experience in between classes. The one time that I visited the

caf during class, it was not very busy.

If you could do anything to change this Caf what would it be?

I would make it bigger because it can get very crowded at certain times of the day.

Would you recommend that others use this caf? If so explain why.

Yes the service is great and the coffee is just what you need to get you through morning

classes! Its location is a great feature and its one of my favorite places to get snacks.

Have you ever encountered a problem at this Caf?

I have never had a problem with the Fretwell caf. Everything has always been better

than expected for me!


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Doors/Entrances/Exits

Tables with 2-4 chairs

Cushioned Chairs

Beverage Refrigerator

Caf Counter/Cash Register

Map of Fretwell Caf

Map Key

Documents

Assignment 1 Revision 2