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.” As part of my preliminary research into diversity-related happenings at UofT, I watched a video released by the Rotman School to commemorate the introduction … Continue reading
Category Archives: Undergraduate Ethnography
In this section of the Ethnography Lab website, we collect student and instructor writing from various ethnographic practicums offered by or via the Lab.
The Challenge of “Critical” Ethnography, By Fatemeh Khavaninzadeh, with Input from Katerina Richard and Oliver Cusimano (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’s always easier to judge, harder to understand. So as anthropologists in training, we are constantly reminded and taught to let go of our … Continue reading
Students Studying Students: When Do Interviews Become Too Formal? By Isabella Gillard and 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 “Concepts and Methods.” It is an interesting dynamic to be a student studying other students who attend the same university, an institution which is also your primary … Continue reading
What the Survey Misses: the Value of Face-to-Face Interview, By Maya Banerjee (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.” Most research projects, ethnographic or otherwise, involve some initial deliberation over methods; How will you gather participants? What methods will you use to extract … Continue reading
The Wall of Rejections: Experiences of Failing to Choose/Get into a Field, By Yuyang Yuan, Fatemeh Khavaninzadeh and Isabella Gillard (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.” Yuyang: In Grade 12, after applying for universities, my friends and I created a “Wall of Rejections” on a whim. We stuck our rejection … Continue reading
The Promise of Diversity, By Aashna Shan (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.” To me, the essence of diversity is creating a space where a range of people from different walks of life can co-exist. … Continue reading
What Is Diversity? By Aashna Shah (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on DiversityWhat Is Diversity? By Aashna Shah)
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.” Out of all the students enrolled at the university about 25% are international students. They are often the flag bearers of cultural … Continue reading
Diversity in the University: An Impossible Ideal, By Aashna Shah and Nana Koomson (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.” When deconstructing what diversity meant at the university Aashna stumbled upon U of T’s definition which suggested that diversity is both the … Continue reading
Embracing Diversity or Creating Normalized Students? By Maya Banejee and Aashna 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 “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
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