Researcher(s):
Emily Tucciarone
ENVS course(s): 400 Initiated: September 2017 Completed: May 2018 Go to project site
|
The concept of community is widely regarded as an overwhelmingly positive facet of society. However, what if by forming strong communities of like-minded individuals, we close off opportunities for communication, progress, and peace? More than ever, communities may have the tendency to promote a "bubble" effect, in which we are more likely only to communicate with those who share our backgrounds and values, and shun those who do not. For this project, I seek to investigate the question, can community be isolating? More specifically, I would like to examine the intentional community, LA Eco-village, by asking, how does LA Ecovillage prevent isolating itself from other communities within the city and beyond?
To examine this question, I plan to utilize three methodologies. For my first methodology, I plan to utilize participant observation in order to interview important figures within LA Ecovillage and tour the premises.The second is a demographic study of those within the eco-village and those in surrounding neighborhoods of Koreatown. Finally, my third methodological approach will be a media analysis, which will consist of collecting and analyzing media and news pieces which discuss LA Ecovillage.