Michael,
I think your questions raise interesting issues about inkshedding.
Theoretically, yes, inkshedding is not gendered and equalizes all
participants. That being said, my research has been rife with subtle
and not so subtle examples that suggest otherwise. There is an
inherent vulnerability to inkshedding that seems to be gendered, so it
may not be as straightforward as you might like it to be.
Miriam
Quoting MICHAEL RYAN <[log in to unmask]>:
> Dear Doctor Hunt,
> I have an outside chance to take Inkshedding to Oman. Without
> going into what I do not know about inkshedding and the culture of
> Oman, I will try one short hypothesis and ask if you could direct me
> to any relevant literature from the inkshedding perspective.
>
> Hypothesis: Inkshedding, as it is anonymous and neither the gender
> of the original commentor, nor the subsequent "reviewer[s]" is
> revealed, may lead to increased interaction [particulalry from women]
> in a mixed classroom in a traditional Oman setting. It would allow
> men and women to freely exchange commentaries, without breaching
> cultural conditioning. I'm not sure if conditioning is correct, or
> if there is some Shria legal principle involved - or - both - or -
> neither. My Omani colleagues, graduates of Carleton U and members of
> the soccer team with me will know the answers to why it occurs. If
> not, I studied with two men and three women and there must be a way
> into this question through them.
>
> As I understand it, the classes are mixed, but the women are
> separated and sit in the rear. As well, a question for discussion or
> comment posed by the instructor may only be replied to by the men,
> because of cultural propriety. Women will provide consensus, but
> will not challenge. The situations outlined are derived from the
> website eof the Higher Colleges of Technology of Oman. These are
> meant to be a description to assist teachers in seeing if they are
> suited to the setting and a guide to their longer term behaviour once
> on-site.swer
>
> Perhaps this is where I address Natasha's challenge of
> problematizing Inkshedding and showing the potential of this
> methodology to level gender barriers, at one and the same time
> re-establishing a broader community of writers, readers,
> collaborative and social then could have existed with traditional
> oral inter-change.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Michael Ryan
>
> PS I am joining CASSLL again, as soon as they post where I can send
> my money. I missed my chance in Gimli, but then a lot of us may have
> been encouraged to wait.
>
>
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To leave the list, send a SIGNOFF CASLL command to
[log in to unmask] or, if you experience difficulties,
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For the list archives and information about the organization,
its newsletter, and the annual conference, go to
http://www.stu.ca/inkshed/
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