1. BOSTON
COLLEGE
Subculture Immersion Project
Blair Mosberg
MK 315 Spring 2012

2. BOSTON COLLEGE
• Chestnut Hill, MA
• Founded in 1863
• Approx. 9,000 undergrads
• Jesuit

3. METHODS
• 3 in-depth interviews
– Andrew (AL), Brenda (BA), Debra (DS)
• Observation
– Transportation
– Eating in dining halls
• Participation
– Basketball game
– Hockey game

4. IDI HIGHLIGHTS
Compare BC students to other students in
Boston
“In general, I would say that BC students are more
well-rounded” –DS
“As Steve Almond kindly puts it, „The entire
campus looks like a J. Crew catalog with a slight
hangover.‟” -BA

5. How often do you leave campus,
and for what reasons?
• Every other week / 2-3 times per month
• Dine out
• Study at coffee shops
• Shopping
• Bars once in a while

6. Campus-wide obsessions
“Uggs, Uggs and moreUggs” –DS
“eating salads and going to the plex…with their
yoga mats in tote for yoga class” –DS
“Making Appearances at Hillside Café, sports
players, Uggs” –AL
“The guy who looks like Edward Cullen, everyone
knows who he is.” –BA

7. Unwritten rules of behavior
“Using trays in dining halls is a no-no. It’s the
sure sign of a freshman.” –BA
“’Rule of 3,’ where a freshman guy is expected
to bring 3 girls to any upper classman party he
is invited to. –AL
“If you go on facebook in the library, know you
will be judged” –DS

8. Student & faculty icons
• Eagles Nest Piano Guy
• Religious leaders
• Pro athlete alumni
• Coaches

9. OBSERVATION I:
TRANSPORTATION
• BC Shuttle

10. OBSERVATION II: DINING
HALLS
• No trays! classes
• BC logo attire • Talk very fast
• Groups of 2-4
people
• Conversation about

11. MORE RESEARCH

12. BASKETBALL GAME
• BC upset FSU •Yellow
– was a big deal Superfan shirt
• Students sat together

13. HOCKEY GAME
• 3 full student sections • Coach Jerry York
• It‟s all your fault! Cheer • Live tweet

14. CONCLUSION
• Felt most immersed when sorting through
data
• Usually thought, “this is not for me”
• Reaffirmed preconceived notions
• Learned more than what I already knew