Because not everyone can get hold of it here is our feedback:
Research Blog: Overall, the introduction of a research blog as an
option for the group project in Assignment 2 appears to have been a success and
hopefully should be seen as an ongoing resource. There are some limitations
inherent in using a blog [for example; posting published material/negotiating
copyright etc] but it also allows the researcher to access other media
[video/sound files/interviews etc]. There is evidence here that members of the
group have used this opportunity fruitfully. The group posted 45 contributions
in total and includes useful definitions of gender, discussion of associated
debates [in particular gender as a cultural construct] and identification of academic
critical texts together with accessible and often humourous video clips – the Things Boys Don’t Understand video was
especially illuminating - I didn’t appreciate that getting ready was a Zen experience [you live and learn . .
.]. As Garth failed to post – the blog has an obvious feminine bias but there
is a real sense of dialogue between the contributors. Good to see evidence of
‘heated discussions’! On the downside the group bibliography was missing -
however, there is clear evidence in the critical choice of texts, accompanying annotations
etc that the group has engaged with the theme. [ND]
In the blog you
tackle the critical way in which gender as a discursive and notoriously
paradoxical category often complicates yet simultaneously manifests debates to
feminism, identity politics and in this case aspects of childhood and
motherhood. In many of the posts you contextualise some fairly difficult and
major points and you have steadily and skillfully developed them with a fair
degree of critical insight using both historical and contemporary instances in
your resource. The ambitious range of contextual interventions (Disney, Yorkie,
Football, the WonderBra) are sound but it would have been good to see more as
your blog developed to sophisticate your critical and contextual knowledge and
understandings of gender. Still, all of the posts / sections were linked
together and you seem to bring to bear the theoretical/critical literature,
issues, and problems that currently define gender studies and also discourses
associated with it. As a result it is apparent that you have worked well on all
aspects of the finished blog. You are also adept at beginning to answer
questions. It is good to see that you avoid a didactic analysis of gender and isolate
childhood as a strand and/or provocative area of gender to explore. Through a
sustained effort you are now able to lucidly discuss details of gender in
context and issues related to your own chosen discipline of design. [GL]
kiss kiss.
