An Auto-Ethnographical Exercise in the Gym

The assignment at a glance
For this assignment you will (a) describe how the “institutional gaze” “disciplines” individual subjects in our society (b) by getting them to conform to particular norms. You will focus on (c) the role of surveillance, documentation, and self-regulation in this process. The physical setting for this assignment is a gym or exercise studio. Please clear your selection of location with Daniel or your TA if it falls outside the realm of the gym/training studio.
1) Gym as institution & its norms – CASE STUDY – SPECIFIC example
a) think of the gym as an institution that aims to “discipline” (improve, reform, or correct) individual subjects
b) include an evidence of your case with your assignment. For example, a screen shot of the gym’s website or the training program that you are attending, attached to the assignment.
c) describe the norms that the institution (gym) or the specific program you’re attending (i) uses to judge subjects as inadequate or “deviant” and then subsequently, (ii) trains them to conform to those norms.
2) “Institutional Gaze”: Surveillance and Judgment
a) a. describe how “deviant” or imperfect subjects are identified
i) by reports or examinations produced by authorities, for example trainers and staff (Foucault; Brighton; McMahon) OR
ii) do the subjects “self-regulate” (Sturken & Cartwright): are they trained to identify themselves as abnormal, deviant, or imperfect OR
iii) both.
b) what “evidence” is observed and collected about the individual to determine their normality/abnormality
3) “Discipline”: Reforming “Abnormal”, “Deviant” or “imperfect” Subjects
a) describe the disciplinary method (Foucault): the practices, procedures and/or products prescribed to reform or improve the subject, so they conform to norms
b) is there an “authority” that has developed the practices, procedures and/or products
(experts? expert knowledge?)
c) how are the practices, procedures, and/or products administered (e.g. with a manual or instructions that the subject follows regularly or/and under the gaze of expert and/or other observers?)
4) “Made Visible”: Turned into a Case to be Monitored
a) how do you keep track of your initial condition and your progress recorded? Is it regularly updated and assessed? Do subjects internalise self-regulation, constantly comparing themselves to norms presented and to others involved in the same activities?
b) if the subject is successfully “disciplined” in the context of the gym, what do you think they need to do to maintain their improved or reformed state?
5) Power Relations: Disciplines that “Produce” “Docile Bodies”
a) what dominant “norms” are presented, suggested, or implied by your case study? (e.g. good citizen vs. bad citizen? Leader vs. follower? Masculine and powerful vs. female and “weak”? Slim, hardworking, and in control vs. fat, lazy, and out of control? popular vs. unpopular ? etc.)
b) what gender norms are at play? How are the displayed in your observations of the gym environment? In the interaction between people in the gym? Are gender norms manifested in how classes are attended, for example? Are these gender norms dominant and ideological, or progressive and revisionist?
c) how are these norms “ideological”? (reinforce dominant systems).
d) can you conclude you’ve identified the disciplinary gaze and the procedures through which subjects are trained to conform to norms?
e) is power here visible or invisible? Or both? Explain your answer: How is power visible/invisible?

Specifics and Mechanics

● SOURCESS: Draw on at least three of the readings by different authors from this section of the course: Foucault, Sturken & Cartwright; McMahon et al., Brighton et al. (e.g. for definitions, examples, discussions of ideas and meanings). Cite authors, dates, and page numbers in your text. No outside research or sources needed.
● NUMBER OF WORDS: approximately 1800-2000 words (double spaced)
● FORMAT: Use essay format with an introduction and a conclusion. Ensure that your argument is clear and well supported (see grading criteria in your syllabus). You can also use the five (5) sections of the assignment guideline above as a model to organise your paper.
● REFERENCES: Ensure that you properly cite all references that you make to articles/chapters in the body of your essay and include all references in a bibliography.
● FORMAT FOR REFERENCES: Use APA, MLA or Chicago.
● INCLUDE: word count at the top of your page.