Kinesiology Lecture Notes (Part 2)

What is Kinesiology? (Part 2) Sociocultural Perspectives in Kinesiology 2024-25 KINE 1000 October 2, 2024 © Hayhurst (2024) Do not share or reproduce without permission.  Reminders In-tutorial tests start week of October 7th Pleas...

What is Kinesiology? (Part 2) Sociocultural Perspectives in Kinesiology 2024-25 KINE 1000 October 2, 2024 © Hayhurst (2024) Do not share or reproduce without permission.  Reminders In-tutorial tests start week of October 7th Please remember to bring your own pencils and erasers for scantron sheets. Bring valid YU-card for test. Need YU-card? Go to: https://www.yorku.ca/yucard/ for more info. Students without a valid YU-card will not be permitted to write the test and will be asked to leave tutorial. TESTS: 30 multiple choice questions; 35 mins to complete. Test on ALL course content up to and including ‘What is Kinesiology unit’ today. Do not share or reproduce without permission.  Course Update & Review Power, Identity, and Citizenship in Kinesiology Corporatization and Neoliberalism in Higher Agenda Education Challenges and Resistance in Kinesiology Key Takeaways & Discussion Do not share or reproduce without permission. Learning Objectives: Politics of Citizenship & Identity in Kinesiology Understand how power relations shape the study and practice of Kinesiology. Analyze the impact of corporatization on the identity and purpose of Kinesiology. Critically evaluate who benefits from the dominant perspectives in Kinesiology and who is marginalized. Reflect on ways to resist and transform Kinesiology to promote greater inclusion and social justice. Do not share or reproduce without permission. About Me (Briefly!) & My ‘KIN’ Journey Recall: Monday’s Lecture The historical development of Kinesiology in Canada. The concept of "Kin Citizens"—how students are shaped by social expectations within Kinesiology. How power and privilege determine which sub- disciplines are prioritized. The political roots of Kinesiology, from physical education to health promotion. The bioscientific focus that continues to dominate Kinesiology and its impact on career paths. Do not share or reproduce without permission. Defining Power in Kinesiology POWER IS THE INFLUENCES POWER IS ABILITY TO WHO EXERCISED DEFINE AND PARTICIPATES, THROUGH SHAPE WHAT IS DISCOURSE, REALITY VALUED, AND POLICY, AND HOW SUCCESS INSTITUTIONAL IS MEASURED PRACTICES Do not share or reproduce without permission.  Corporatization of Universities Universities operate more like businesses Emphasis on profit, rankings, and market-driven outcomes Impact: Narrowing the scope of research and teaching to what’s commercially valuable “Corporatization refers to a process that involves the ascension of business interests and free- market ideologies within public institutions and, in the case of universities, this process fundamentally overhauls existing mandates to better serve and align with the private sector,” [(Brownlee, 2015) as cited by Barnes et al.., 2022, p. 346)]. Do not share or reproduce without permission. Role of Mission and Vision Statements What is being erased? Promote: health, knowledge, leadership…at expense of what? Mission and vision statements define institutional priorities Often reflect corporate values and goals Shape identity, citizenship, and what is considered ‘good’ Kinesiology Do not share or reproduce without permission. What Knowledge Gets Centered in KIN? Molecular, Cellular Neural and and Integrative Biomechanical Physiology Control of Movement Socio-Cultural and Health and Fitness Policy Studies in Behaviours Sport and Physical Activity Do not share or reproduce without permission. Technological Body 1 2 3 Body as a site Focus on Risks: of scientific performance, Overemphasis measurement optimization, on physical and and health as attributes and intervention controllable underemphasis through on social context technology Do not share or reproduce without permission. Technological Habitus Concept of Habitus: “Foundational attitude” shaping how we perceive ourselves and others. Deeply rooted, unconscious thought patterns. Technological Habitus: Viewed as objective and scientific, hence considered “fact.” Treats the body as a malleable, useful object. Do not share or reproduce without permission. The Anatomy Lab Explicitly produces people with anatomical knowledge that is useful in medical, health and physical activity practices Implicitly produces and reproduces the technological body habitus Body as object Body as resource Implicit lessons of anatomy that contribute to technological habitus? The body as an object Objective gaze is only way of learning the body Emotional disengagement, no context The body as a machine Body fragmentation The body as completely accessible to the scientific gaze and therefore the needs of technology The body as something separate and useful to the disembodied mind/spirit Corporatized Health & the Individual Health framed Neglect of as individual social behaviour determinants Do not share or reproduce without permission. Neoliberalism, Youth & Social Justice (Giroux, 2014) Do not share or reproduce without permission. Neoliberalism in Kinesiology Emphasis on free markets, competition, and individual freedoms Goal: Human well-being achieved by prioritizing the market over state interventions Economic success relies on free trade and minimal government intervention Promotes personal responsibility and entrepreneurial skills The market is more efficient than local or state-led decision- making Neoliberalism: Emphasis on competition, efficiency, and self- regulation Impacts & Critiques of Neoliberalism Impact on Focus on Work- Universities: Readiness: Prioritizes Consequences in Emphasizes market professional training Kinesiology: values over education over critical thinking and equity Health seen as an Marginalized voices "Fit" bodies = "Good" individual and approaches are citizens responsibility excluded Do not share or reproduce without permission. Challenges for Marginalized Groups in KIN Kinesiology Research and programs often teaching can overlook race, reproduce gender, and disability exclusionary norms Impact: Alienation Reinforces a ‘one- and lack of size-fits-all’ approach representation for to health and marginalized physical activity students Do not share or reproduce without permission.  Image of Colin Kaepernick on bent knee Resistance in Kinesiology Some programs and faculty push back against corporatized norms Incorporating social justice, decolonization, and anti-racist frameworks Focus on creating inclusive, community-based approaches Example: Programs that center community engagement and social change Do not share or reproduce without permission.  Need for a broader, more inclusive The Future of understanding of health Kinesiology? Balancing scientific knowledge with critical and community-based approaches Questioning the ‘employability’ narrative and re-centering citizenship Opportunities for Kinesiology to contribute to social justice and health equity Do not share or reproduce without permission.  Power and identity shape what Kinesiology is and who it’s for Corporatization and neoliberalism narrow the scope of Kinesiology Key Health framed as personal responsibility Takeaways marginalizes social factors Marginalized groups face unique challenges in the field Resistance is growing, offering hope for a more inclusive future Do not share or reproduce without permission. Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? What are your thoughts on the role of power in shaping Kinesiology? How do you see corporatization affecting your education? How can Kinesiology move towards a more inclusive future? Do not share or reproduce without permission.