Geography MRP
http://hdl.handle.net/10464/14577
2024-03-29T11:18:52ZThe Shifting Constitution of Space, Gender, and Mobility in a Context of Social and Infrastructural Change: A Case Study of Swat, Pakistan
http://hdl.handle.net/10464/18309
The Shifting Constitution of Space, Gender, and Mobility in a Context of Social and Infrastructural Change: A Case Study of Swat, Pakistan
Khan, Idris
Feminist geographers argue that gender and mobility are co-constituted. However, few studies focus on this relationship empirically, and even fewer in the global South. Against this backdrop, this study aims to analyze the ways in which space, gender, and mobility are mutually constituted in Swat Valley, Pakistan, in a shifting historical context of (a) traditional Pukhtun culture involving a syncretic religion, (b) Islamic fundamentalism and the takeover by the Taliban, and (c) post-Taliban modernization in its various forms, including a new market economy and tourist-based infrastructure development. This study temporally maps these particular spatial, gendered, and mobility changes over a period of time (16th century to present), showing that (a) gendered spatiality in traditional Swat evolved in such a way to constitute culturally designated women’s spaces that allowed them to perform their womanhood and practice their mobilities; (b) more recently, Islamic fundamentalist ideologies fundamentally controlled women’s mobilities to erase them from both public space and certain types of private space that had formerly been accessible to women (e.g., shrines); and (c) modernization and infrastructure development created material sites of mobility that provide spaces for middle-class families to perform their modern gender subjectivities.
Deauthorizing the Unauthorized: Examining Museological Decolonial Discourse
http://hdl.handle.net/10464/16383
Deauthorizing the Unauthorized: Examining Museological Decolonial Discourse
Mercier, Lisa Marie
This critical literature review examines current global debates and discussions pertaining to decolonization practices in museums. I sample the literature and categorise it into four categories - exhibitions, collections, education, and human resources. This review illuminated three important things. First, I found that much of the literature pertains to decolonizing national exhibits in North America. Secondly, more discussion needs to be had around community museums and the important decolonization work that is happening at a grassroots level. Lastly, while much has been written on the importance of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour as part of the staffing complement, less is written on decolonizing the broader human resources context of museum work. This dialogue is necessary to ensure adequate representation. The findings presented in this critical literature review continue important contemporary discussions on decolonizing museums. In sum, this research advocates for more work to be done with regard to decolonizing practices in museums.
Logging, Tourism, and Community: Finding Balance in South Algonquin and Algonquin Provincial Park
http://hdl.handle.net/10464/16380
Logging, Tourism, and Community: Finding Balance in South Algonquin and Algonquin Provincial Park
McIntyre, Nikki
This major research paper looks to explore the interwoven complexities involved in finding balance among the different realms of sustainability within Algonquin Provincial Park and the community of South Algonquin. It explores theory, case studies, and literature surrounding topics of park management, community development, planning, and the provincial park and community itself. Primary data collection by the author was not utilized; however, the research examines a plethora of existing literature including government documents and reports, conference resources, and published articles. Throughout the work the development of logging and tourism within the park are examined, both as separate and intertwined industries. The issue of these contrasting yet tied industries can be explained as a “wicked problem”, that being one with no finite or correct answer. With this understanding the work goes forward seeking not one solution but a variety of practices in resource management, development, and community engagement. A central theme of youth as potential actors within the processes of park, resource, and community management emerges, with calls for more engagement from this demographic. In the overall examination I find that the balance of sustainability in this region is relatively stable, with appropriate and innovative strategies being utilized from a variety of engaged actors to establish a “best case” for all.
Sex and education?: Intersecting sex, education, and student activism
http://hdl.handle.net/10464/15108
Sex and education?: Intersecting sex, education, and student activism
Yap, Iris
With a focus on the Eurocentric sex education curriculum, this paper reviews three sub-disciplinary geographic literatures – geographies of education, geographies of sexualities, and geographies of children and youth – with a focus on student activism. I propose that although these dissimilar areas of work are relatively sequestered, they share a common connection, children and youth agency. Through a detailed exploration of these three literatures, this study found three things. First, an inclusive sex education curriculum is important as it has the ability to dismantle harmful heteronormative discourses while providing a safe and inclusive environment for marginalized students. Secondly, school’s and education's purposes are contradictory as they have been used as a way to protect children, but also to prepare them for the responsibilities of adulthood. Lastly, although children and youth are often viewed as incapable of making rational and informed decisions by adults, they are active agents in their everyday lives. They, therefore, are capable of creating social and political change. These findings add to the continuing conversations of these three sub-disciplinaries of geography. They also repeat the call for more research into the combination of these three sub-disciplinary fields to dismantle the hegemonic heterosexual norms.