Clothes Talk: Youth Modernities and Commodity Consumption in Dakar, Senegal

Based on twelve months of fieldwork in Dakar, Senegal and funded by the Wenner Gren Foundation, this thesis examines how in the context of contemporary globalization, increased volumes of luxury commodities shape the modern consciousness of individuals in a developing African city. This project specifically examines this phenomenon through a study of youth clothing consumption. Dakar is a consumer society with particular consumer dynamics. In addition to class, patron-clientage and kinship are central to understanding contemporary patterns of consumption in Dakar. Clothing is a commodity that has been radically altered by urbanization and the globalization of manufacturing processes and advertising. Clothing is also a realm of cultural expression that has particular importance to Dakarois and it is the focus of many urban consumption competitions. In this study, the cultural dynamics of clothing consumption are examined through an integrated lens of the private and public dimensions of commodities. A balanced examination of the symbolic meanings and patterns of circulation and exchange reveals how youth are critical to an understanding of Dakar clothing practices and Senegalese consumption competitions in general. It illuminates how youth are liberated and oppressed by clothing consumption in the current context of globalization. The data for this dissertation was collected using a combination of traditional and non-traditional research methods. In addition to participant observation, household surveys and semi-structured interviews, youth participants produced teen fashion magazines based on their own photography and writings, and authored a street language dictionary. The collaborative research methods adopted in this study demonstrate how anthropology is an additional external force shaping clothing consumption along with transnational migration, media and decentralized production. Dakarois\u27 intense interest and awareness of clothing commodities and competitions are not pure outcomes of globalization or Senegalese cultural life. Rather, they are the result of local and global phenomena intersecting with one another while shaping the relationships between people and things

The Negotiation and Development of Writing Teacher Identities in Elementary Education

Identity development in writing is a unique process. While many studies have explored the process of developing a professional identity among future teachers, few studies have investigated how teacher candidates develop a writing teacher’s identity. This study explores the development and negotiation of writing teacher identity among 21 pre-service multiple-subject teacher candidates at a large public institution in California. More specifically, the study examines the students’ journeys as they transformed from students of writing in a university methods course to student teachers of writing in a local school district. Our findings indicate that the use of a sociocultural-based approach to teaching writing in a university method’s course conflicted with the use of a skills-based mandated curriculum used in local districts. Nonetheless, within this space of conflict, teacher candidates began to determine how to merge the two approaches, understand potential limitations and develop a pedagogical toolbox thus, renegotiating their identities as future writing teachers. We provide recommendations that teacher educators may use to assist teacher candidates and developing effective writing pedagogy while utilizing a mandated curriculum

Research in the globalscape : conceptual tools for understanding sites

[[WORKSHOP Within EDRA 35, 2004: Design With Spirit Moderated by Julia Nevarez with contributions from Denise Alcantara, Clio Capitanachi, Jeffrey Pall Wandersman, Suzanne Scheld, Bob Bechtel, Constatine Kijanenko, Dana Taplin, Robert Marans, Ashraf M. Salama, Michael Mitrany, and Sanjoy Mazundar]] Purposes and objectives: While previous workshops have deal with urban research methodologies, this workshop will help uncover those conceptual tools used in the study of environments. While the epistemological foundations of research include a consideration for the origins, methods and limits of knowledge, this workshop will focus on the methods and discuss concepts and spatial metaphors used to speak of the city. Explicitly and implicitly conceptual tools, such as spatial metaphors help to advance the analysis of urban phenomena. Little explanation is given to the underlying conceptual and spatial metaphors of urban though. This workshop will attempt at uncovering the epistemologies produced by the craft of research in the global context by 1) presenting research in specific sites, 2) identifying and describing the spatial metaphors used in the analysis of cities and other settled areas, and 3) examining the discourses these spatial metaphors represent. Expected outcomes: This workshop seeks to offer a platform where to discuss the conceptual tools used in urban research, specifically spatial metaphors that help the analysis of the city and other settled areas. The workshop also seeks to identify the discourses from which these spatial metaphors emerge as a way to advance our awareness of how knowledge is obtained through research. An identification of concepts and spatial metaphors will help identify the possible benefits and limitations of using such conceptual and analytical tools in the production of knowledge about the urban environment. Plans to involve the audience:A reference list and selection of readings will be distributed to participants. There will be three presentations by workshop members that will provide examples of conceptual tools used in the analysis o furban research. A group exercise will help participants in different subgroups identify other conceptual tools that they use in their current research. An open group discussion about the sub-group activities will follow.List of possible participants: Denise Alcantara, Clio Capitanachi, Jeffrey Pall Wandersman, Suzanne Scheld, Bob Bechtel, Constatine Kijanenko, Dana Taplin, Robert Marans, Ashraf M. Salama, Michael Mitrany, and Sanjoy Mazundar