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
“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