Engendered Comics and Social Interdependency: An Ethnography of the University of Wyoming Visiting Archaeological Scholars' Laboratory

Summary

In the spring of 1994, ethnographic fieldwork was conducted at the University of Wyoming Visiting Scholars’ laboratory . The organization of the labor process was analyzed that evidenced social interdependency. The laboratory functioned properly because of the pragmatic actions of the director of the laboratory. While openly demonstrating personal views on gender biases in western society, the University, and archaeology, the director diffused any animosity among workers by adorning the laboratory with comical and satirical wall hangings. This had a two fold effect. The first is the accentuation of knowledge about discriminatory actions against women, past and present, in society and in the profession of archaeology. The second affect the wall hangings have is that it pacifies any possible tensions related to gender biases, thus allowing the elements of the social situation to be accomplished.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Wyoming Archaeologist 1994

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Marcia Peterson

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