The Trouble With Triumph: Discourses of Governmentality in Mainstream Media Representations of Urban Youth

The Assets Coming Together for Youth project conducted a critical discourse analysis of mainstream media depictions of Jane-Finch to better understand the discursive strategies used to constitute urban youth. Although a substantive body of literature investigates the negative discourses, little analysis interrogates the nominally positive discourses deployed by mainstream media. The findings suggest that the sociopolitical significance of these nominally positive discourses may go uncontested and pose a challenge to communities advocating for policies to support urban youth development. These discourses are examined using governmentality theory to reveal how racialized narratives of individual triumph re/produce troubled communities.     

E-journal Management Systems

Abstract

Electronic journals are being added to library collections at exponential rates. Recent developments in e-journal management systems offer libraries a variety of solutions for enhancing the visibility and flexibility of their electronic journals. This article examines and compares Serials Solutions, JournalWebCite, TDNet, and Serials Cybrarian, four current e-journal management programs that create and integrate multiple lists of journal titles, regardless of format, into a single list. These systems can reduce or even eliminate common serials control problems for librarians. Readers will gain insights that will enable them to better understand and consider the value of an e-journal management system. Serials Review 2002; 28:176–194.     

Diversity and difference in the field education encounter: Racial minority students in the practicum

The practicum in social work oftentimes induces fear, anxiety, tension and excitement. Additional concerns occur for racial minority students given historical treatment and present realities since racism and discrimination are embedded within the structures of dominant societies. This study describes the experiences of racial minority students in the practicum. The findings reveal the different experiences of students according to agency, field instructor and the context of work. More importantly, questions emerged around student identity, professionalism and the realities of practice. The survey responses are analysed together with a focus group discussion where students described subtle, pervasive and blatant forms of discrimination, prejudice and racism. Positive student experiences were also shared and are incorporated for change. Practical suggestions are offered as well as the need to introduce more in-depth analyses of oppression, colonization and imperialism in field education.