This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” It’s not uncommon to hear people frame post-secondary education as a ‘journey’ through which a young person ‘finds’ themselves. Indeed, university experiences … Continue reading
Category Archives: Ethnography of the University: Focus on Diversity 2021
The word “diversity” is everywhere in universities these days, but what does diversity mean,
and what does it do? How does “diversity” shape the life of the university? Is diversity
something you embody, or something you do? How exactly do faculty, staff and students “do”
diversity and what becomes of their efforts?
Students from Prof. Tania Li’s fall 2021 course entitled ‘Ethnographic Practicum: Ethnography of the University’ compiled blog posts and documents from their experience conducting ethnography of the modes of work that shape the University of Toronto.
Women-Only Hours, Forgotten Genders and Toxic Femininity, By Lidiia Tulenkova (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” Women-only hours at the Athletic Center at U of T provide an opportunity for all women and women-identifying individuals to enter the … Continue reading
“The Gym Is a Micro-Society”, By Lidiia Tulenkova (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” The truth that is on everyone`s lips is that, for some people, gyms’ atmosphere is very depressing and uncomfortable. However, such a … Continue reading
Keep Calm and Speak English, By Yuyang Yuan (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” My research concerns how the evaluation mechanism shapes the diverse student body into the normalized image of “U of T students”. A … Continue reading
When Efforts Do Not Bring Rewards, Other Possibilities Open Up, By Yuyang Yuan (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” As a kid, I was told that “how much effort you make brings the rewards you will get”. When I studied hard, … Continue reading
Academic Trash: Utility Versus Meaning in Writing Assignments, By Yuyang Yuan (Ethnography of the University 2021)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” Another midnight, Charon submitted his essay right before 11:59 pm, the deadline. He then posted a meme on his social media account. … Continue reading
A Surprisingly Successful Survey and a New Question, By Lidiia Tulenkova (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” In my research on gender diversity at open gyms, my primary research question was “do gyms at U of T serve as a safe … Continue reading
“Into the Field!” Or My Experience of Collecting First Ethnographic Data, By Lidiia Tulenkova (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” The choice of my ethnographic research topic on gender diversity in gyms was not accidental. I was led not only by the incredible curiosity … Continue reading
The Arts of Noticing, By Ashna Shah (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” After a relatively busy morning, I had finally rung up my childhood friend, Dee, from back home and was listening to her animatedly describe … Continue reading
Challenges of a Student Ethnographer, By Charlotte Millar and Erica de Souza (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” It is a unique experience going from student to ethnographer. This post will document two student ethnographer experiences and the challenges they face. Charlotte … Continue reading