California State University, Northridge
College
of Arts, Media, and Communication
Department
of Communication Studies
Below are links to Online Research Resources for the LA Ethnography Project - your culminating project for the course. As you find other sources in doing your research, post them on the newsgroup and I'll be happy to add them here.
CSUN's Oviatt Library has a wealth of online and traditional research tools. Some excellent full-text databases are at your fingertips online, and you can discuss your particular project with a living, breathing reference librarian. Katherine Dabbour is the designated Communication Studies Librarian and has developed a website specifically for Communication Studies Research. She can be of tremendous help in your research. Don't hesitate to ask her for assistance. Here's her newest recommendation for this assignment:
There is a web site that enables simultaneous searching of a variety of archives
related to Los Angeles called "LA
as Subject:" "L.A.
as Subject
is an online directory of less visible archives and collections that preserve
historical materials related to the Los Angeles region."
Here's their URL http://www.usc.edu/libraries/archives/arc/lasubject/
In addition to these materials, here are resources specific to this assignment:
Ethnographic Methods ResourcesCalifornia and Los Angeles Archives & ResourcesPA 765: Ethnographic Research is a page of a syllabus by Professor. G. David Garson of North Carolina State University. The linked page provides a clear overview of basic concepts and methods of ethnographic research.
A Synthesis of Ethnographic Research by Professor Michael Genzuk of the Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research at USC, is an excellent introduction to ethnographic premises and methods, as well as practical advice on field research.
Professor Barbara Hall of the University of Pennsylvania's essay, How to do Ethnographic Research: A Simplified Guide takes you step by step through the process.
CSUN's own Center for Southern California Studies "was established in 1996 to promote the study, documentation, and understanding of the cultural, historical, and ecological resources in the Southern California social and environmental setting." This site, and the center on campus has a wealth of information, resources and research tools.
Online Archive of California, a component of the California Digital Library, contains digitized and electronic documents (images and text) contributed by approximately 100 repositories, such as the University of California systems archives and the Huntingdon Library. A search engine allows users to search using keywords or subject descriptions. In addition, there are subject oriented digital collections of images and documents, focusing on a particular aspect of California history, such as the Free Speech Movement, the Japanese-American Internment Program during World War II, and more current events.
Great Buildings Online is a searchable compendium of images and articles on architecture around the world and across history. The site includes 3D models, photographic images and architectural drawings, commentaries, bibliographies, web links, and more, for famous designers and structures of all kinds. Several LA sites are included here.
Architecture in Los Angeles contains links for many famous sites in Los Angeles. Scroll down to find what you're looking for.
@LA Tourism/Tourist Attractions in Southern California contains links to just about anything of interest in L.A. Mostly it links to commercial sites intended to lure tourists, but if you're stumped for what to do for your case study, it's a start in your research.
The Downtown Los Angeles Walking Tour is not only a great tour, but the site has information on the rich culture and history of historic Los Angeles.
The Association of American Geographers offers Places Online - Los Angeles. Click on an area of the map to see what sites they feature; also provides links to more information.
The City of Los Angeles site has links to reports of all kinds - historical, census reports, etc. It's also a place to contact your elected officials