Field Report Form: Intro to Religions of the World (Kenneth Banner)-Rutgers University-Camden

This report form is adapted from one used by Dr. Dianne Ashton at Rowan University
Name:____________________________________________ Date Attended:________________________

Name/Location of Place: __________________________________________________________________

Name of Religion (Be Specific) _____________________________________________________________

How would you describe the reaction of the people toward you as a visitor?
(Not noticed, Polite, Friendly, Very Friendly, Overtly Friendly to the Point 
I was Uncomfortable)


Age and Size of Congregation:


Minister/Rabbi/Priest/Lay Leader?


Architecture/Seating (Circle, Half Circle, Straight--Style of Building)


Positions Used By Leaders (Where were the Leaders positioned?)


Prayerbook or Hymnal?  Overhead projector?  Other?


Was there instrumental music?  What instruments?



What style of Music was used?




Ritual items prominently displayed in sanctuary or meeting place.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What sort of things did individuals announce during the service?
	Pesonal News?  Congregational activities?  Religious 
	Experiences?  Religious perceptions?
	Explain:



How organized was the service?  (Detailed, Somewhat Detailed, 
	Loosely Structured, Not at All)


If there was a sermon, who gave it?  What was its theme?



GENERALLY SPEAKING, what percentage of the service was done 
	by the congregation as a group?  


What were they doing?


	How much was done by the leader/clergy?  What was she/he doing?


	What activities, if any, were done by others?


	What role did silence play, if any?


Did the people tend to talk among themselves or to be silent?


What kind of bodily actions occured in the congregation during the service, 
i.e. kneeling, bowing heads, gestures, verbal responses (planned? or 
spontaneous?),  shaking hands, group prayer,  hugging, placing hands upon 
shoulders/head, coming forward to the front of the room, dancing, shouting, 
shaking, meditation, etc.)



Were there any unusual activities/events that you would not have expected to 
see in a religious service?



What sort of relationship to God/Gods/ the Sacred or to the Universe was 
described in the prayers, hymns, meditations?  Explain.



GENERALLY SPEAKING, what did the prayers/hymns/meditations talk about?  
Did they present a task for people?  What was it?  Did they ask for anything?  
If so what was it?



Was there any group activity after the service?  What was it?  



What surprised you about your visit?


Describe some ways in which the service illustrated ideas, concepts, or issues 
which have been examined in class concerning religious groups?







Describe some ways in which the service illustrated some of  the basic beliefs 
covered in the course concerning this religion.






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Last Modified April 17, 2003
Kenneth J. Banner
banner@camden.rutgers.edu
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