Student Independent Projects Social/Cultural Studies 2013:

Pike, Stephanie and Power, Sarah and Spence, Kenneth (2013) Student Independent Projects Social/Cultural Studies 2013:. Research Report. Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

One of the requirements for the Social/Cultural Studies degree at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University is the satisfactory completion of an independent research project. This in-depth and self-directed study allows students to engage in a topic of their own choosing, wherein they apply the theoretical and methodological skills and insights acquired throughout their programme. The three essays in this volume convey some of the ways students have creatively applied concepts and theories from anthropology, folklore, and sociology - the core cognates of Social/Cultural Studies, to look at aspects of everyday life in order to see them in a new light. The research of the 2013 graduates presents a range of issues including changing notions of beauty, identity, oppression, colonization, and occupational culture. In “Through Western eyes: A study of South Korea's Rising Beauty Industry”, Stephanie Pike examines recent trends in South Korea’s beauty industry and some of the manifestations that have stemmed from its new ideal beauty standard. An application of Sociological theories of Glocalization, Hybridization and Simulation to unique cultural formations such as K-Pop, Flower Boys, and Uljjangs or ‘best face’ phenomenon has allowed her to investigate local cultural developments in light of self-image and their relationship to popular culture and media in South Korea. In particular this research probes how traditional perceptions of the body are now merging with Western world style Capitalism to create culturally unique forms. Sarah Power’s research, entitled “Internalized Colonialism And Western Newfoundland Aboriginal Identity”, probes the notion of internalized colonization with a group of people of Aboriginal descent living in Western Newfoundland and Labrador. Working from the premise that the more widespread and normalized the oppression towards Aboriginal people is, the more they begin to internalize and normalize these forms of oppression themselves, she investigates issues of Aboriginal identity and self concept with people who are seeking or have received Aboriginal status. Kenneth Spence’s work on “Tattooing, Apprenticeship and Contested Meaning in Newfoundland” looks at the emergence of, and debate about, nonprofessional tattooists in Newfoundland and exposes the tensions within the apprenticeship model in the Newfoundland tattoo industry. Based on interviews with established tattooists, apprentices, and nonprofessional tattooists, the study investigates the role of apprenticeship in transmitting the traditional occupational culture as well as managing and gatekeeping within the industry itself. Dr. John Bodner and Dr. Marie Croll, Social/Cultural Studies faculty members, served as advisors for the 2013 projects. On behalf of the faculty of Social/Cultural Studies, I congratulate the students whose work is included in this volume. As a faculty, we are pleased with our students’ commitment to understanding and articulating social/cultural issues. We wish them continued success as they build upon this foundation.

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