Browsing by Author "Enoch, Simon"

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Open Access
Brewing Identity: Fair-Trade Coffee, Image, Style and Consumerism in Late Capitalism
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2014-05) Gordon, Brian Jeffery; Magnan, Andre; Conway, John; Enoch, Simon; Rogers, Randal
Since the collapse of the International Coffee Agreement in 1989 the production of coffee has been in crisis. Small holders struggle to survive at even a subsistence level following the deregulation of the coffee industry and the subsequent increased control of the value-chain by buyers and roasters. Fair Trade is seen as one way of increasing the amount small producers are paid for their product. The recent explosion of ``relationship coffees`` has helped a number of small producers, but is increasingly now used as a marketing and branding device for Fair Trade and traditional coffee companies alike. The symbolic nature of Fair Trade coffee has been used to differentiate coffees, as well as extract greater value from the raw product. The strategies used to market Fair Trade coffee are increasingly visual in nature, and use producers’ lives and surrounding landscapes as semiotic lifestyle signifiers for first world consumers. In this way consumption is privileged and producers’ lives are deemed knowable, and thus become part of economic exchange. The visual, semiotic nature of consumption often distorts the reality of most small coffee producers, while at the same time re-enforcing the hegemony of consumerism in consuming countries. In this way Fair Trade coffee is an excellent example of symbolic exchange built on a material base: a most salient feature of the late-capitalist order. Using the social constructivist approach and semiotic textual analysis, this thesis explores how meaning is created through this process, and the propensity for people to buy products imbued with symbolic cultural capital in late capitalism. Consumers now purchase signs and symbols that signify membership in a certain group. In order to uncover mechanisms that allow for the commoditization of caring, ethics, or environmentalism, with reference to Fair Trade coffee, images are analyzed using semiotic textual analysis. This is accompanied by an overview of consumption and production in this current regime of accumulation. Deconstruction of images allows for semiotic connections to be made between the production of coffee and the identity building symbolic nature of late-capitalist consumption. This analysis of photographic images used to market Fair Trade coffee it is discovered that meaning making is a highly complex process in late-capitalism, and increasingly relies on detached visual signifiers in widely disseminated images in advertising. These mechanisms have ramifications for politics in the broadest sense, as individual acts of consumption come to replace actual political debate, engagement, and policy.
Open Access
Celebration Of Authorship Program 2021-2022
(University of Regina Library, 2022) Abbott, Sarah; Afolabi, Taiwo; Ashton, Emily; Bliss, Stacey; Bonner, William; Bradley, Crista; Brigham, Mark; Campbell, Ian; Campbell, Lori; Carter, Heather; Chadwick, Sydney; Chiefcalf, April; Clarke, Paul; Cliveti, Monica; Clune, Laurie; Demers, Jason; Donovan, Darcy; Eisler, Dale; Eaton, Emily; Elliott, Patricia W; Enoch, Simon; French, Lindsey; Gachek, James; Gardiner, Christopher Campbell; Berard-Gardiner, Shannon; Gebhard, Amanda; Grahame, Ann; Han, Yu (Jade); Hanson, Cindy; Hart, Mel; Hu, Shuchen; Hurlbert, Margot; Isiaka, Abiodun; Jaffe, JoAnn; King, Alex; Koops, Sheena; Kossick, Don; Long, Timothy; Maeers, Esther; Mair, Leslea; Mathes, Carmen Faye; Munro, Emelia; Naytowhow, Joseph; Phillips, Kaetlyn; Polster, Claire; Quark, Amy; Ramsay, Christine; Ricketts, Kathryn; Rasmussen, Ken; Reul, Barbara; Rennie, Morina; Rolli (Charles Anderson); Ruddy, Evie Johnny; Russell, Gale; Sardarli, Arzu; Saul, Gerald; Doke Sawatsky, Katie; Sellers, Cora; Snider, Amy; Stadnichuk, Cheryl; Stevens, Andrew; Stratton, Florence; Swan, Ida; Tomesh, Trevor; Trussler, Michael; Vélez, Maria; Wilson, Ken
For the first time in three years, we are thrilled to be again gathering in person to celebrate the published scholarly and creative work of our University of Regina community. Archer Library is proud to unveil the 2021-22 University of Regina Celebration of Authorship Program booklet. This downloadable publication highlights University of Regina authors/creators of books, edited proceedings, sound recordings, musical scores and film or video recordings published over the last year in any format (print or electronic). We encourage you to take a moment to view the program booklet and extend your congratulations to all of the University of Regina students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are being celebrated this year.
Open Access
A Living Wage for Regina
(Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2014-01) Gingrich, Paul; Enoch, Simon; Banks, Brian
What annual income does a family require to maintain a decent standard of living? What is the Living Wage in Regina? The main purpose of this report to describe the concept of the Living Wage and calculate what is the actual base income level of a family of four in Regina. The methodology for calculation of the Living Wage and the cost of living data developed for this report will contribute to a wider discussion of what is a fair wage for families in today’s economy.
Open Access
A Living Wage for Regina
(Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), 2014-01) Gingrich, Paul; Enoch, Simon; Banks, Brian
Since the Great Recession of 2008 the Canadian economy has been sluggish and unemployment has remained at high levels. The growth in Saskatchewan’s resource industries and the continuation of very low interests rates have insulated us from the worst effects of the recession. Those who measure the inflation rate have consistently reported that it has been two percent annually or less. Many families based on their lived experience suggest that real inflation is much higher than this. Apartment and condo rental rates, home purchases, the cost of water, some food products, gasoline and other energy sources have risen more than two percent. This has led us question what is the real cost of living in Regina for the average family. What annual income does a family require to maintain a decent standard of living? What is the Living Wage in Regina?
Open Access
Mapping Corporate Power in Saskatchewan
(Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2012-12) Enoch, Simon
The following study seeks to identify networks of corporate power in the province by documenting the inter-locking relationships between corporations, industry and trade associations, advocacy groups, policy institutes, universities, political parties and government itself. We draw upon the traditions of sociological power structure research that emphasize the social networks in which these enterprises are embedded and the importance of viewing these networks as “arenas of power” (Scott, 1991, 182). The study of corporate interlocks is at the centre of this form of research. An interlock exists when a particular individual sits on two or more corporate boards, with multiple interlocks between corporations revealing a level of dense corporate elite integration. Equally important to our research are the interlocks that exist between corporations and the governing boards of other corporate-sponsored or corporate-interest organizations and/or institutions, such as policy planning groups, inter-sectoral organizations, trade or industry associations, government advisory boards or other corporate interest advocacy groups.
Open Access
Working toward a provincial strategy to eliminate poverty: a reflective review of a practicum with poverty-free Saskatchewan.
(2011) Yung, Angela; Mulvale, Jim; Enoch, Simon; Novik, Nuelle
This report is a reflective review of an eight-month part-time Master of Social Work field practicum, which I competed in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Saskatchewan Office (CCPA-SK) and the Poverty-Free Saskatchewan (PFS) network between the months of January and August of 2010. My practicum experience focused on the continued development of Poverty-Free Saskatchewan, a network of concerned individuals seeking to develop a poverty elimination strategy. PFS is following the trend of other Canadian provinces which are working on poverty reduction strategies. My practicum followed the work of my colleague, Kirk Englot, who completed his MSW Field Practicum with PFS prior to my involvement. This report outlines the ideologies, theories, and values which underlie my work. Furthermore, I also reflect upon my practicum experience by evaluating my professional beliefs, skills, ethics and future career goals.