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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Amir Mostaghim
PhD

Associate Teaching Professor

Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

Contact information

Bordessa Hall - Room 323
Downtown Oshawa
55 Bond Street East
Oshawa, ON

905.721.8668 ext. 5887

amir.mostaghim@ontariotechu.ca


Research and supervision topics

  • Consumption
  • Drugs
  • Gender
  • Identity Development
  • Post-modern theory
  • Race
  • Youth Subculture

Background

The field of youth cultural studies is in a state of schism. On one hand, it is argued, the Marxist conceptualization of subculture as a static representation of social class has failed to encapsulate the diverse ways by which groups negotiate their membership. At the same time, the post-modernist refutation of structure in favour of agency is arguably too simplistic in its claim of universality. Although the debate is ongoing, there is general agreement that recent changes in society have placed leisure and consumption at the centre of youth identity development. However, the question remains, how do structural concerns affect choices made by youth while participating in conspicuous leisure and consumption? The implications of this question are wide-ranging and crucially important. It can answer questions about drug use, fashion choices, spending habits, criminal behaviour, and so much more. Dr. Mostaghim’s research agenda is to analyze and explore different dimensions and implications of this question.

After finishing his Ph.D. work at McMaster University and University of Guelph, under such scholars as William Shafir, Cyril Levitt, Andrew Hathaway, Patrick Parnaby, and William O’Grady, Dr. Mostaghim joined our university in 2015. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in areas of policy development, policing, statistics, and cultural studies. Dr. Mostaghim is currently finishing a research project in the area of police legitimacy in various subcultures in Canada.

Expert Centre profile

Courses taught

  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Data Analysis
  • Policing
  • Advanced Level Policy Development
  • International Perspective in Criminal Justice