Dissertation
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ACCULTURATION: DISCOURSES OF SUCCESS AND OTHERING AT ONE LAND-GRANT PWI
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/110659
Abstract
In American Higher Education (AHE), the struggle to actualize diversity and inclusivity continues. Policy initiatives in the form of strategic plans are the primary institutional approach used by most universities to address diversity and inclusion. Student support programs designed for underserved populations are heavily relied upon to enact and maintain policy initiatives (Ahmed, 2012). Neoliberal university agendas are laced with discourses of success and institutionalized othering of historically marginalized students in Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs).
Utilizing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this critical case study uncovers discourses of success and institutionalized othering are enacted in one land-grant PWI. Postcolonial, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and Black Feminist lenses reveal overt ways underserved populations are supported and marginalized through discourse. Using Iverson’s (2010) study on AHE diversity policies as a blueprint, data collection included policy documents from one institution and one student support program, as well as interviews with six student participants, two staff participants, and participant observation.
Discourses of success and othering are prominent throughout three main themes that emerged in this study. These interconnected themes include: (1) commitment to progress, (2) acquisition of power, and (3) differences. From these themes this case study presents a nuanced understanding of discourses of success and othering that shows how policy and practice simultaneously overlap yet diverge in their engagement of these discourses. I conclude by recommending alternative discourses.
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Details
- Title
- EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ACCULTURATION: DISCOURSES OF SUCCESS AND OTHERING AT ONE LAND-GRANT PWI
- Creators
- Charise Paulette DeBerry
- Contributors
- Paula Groves Price (Advisor)Pamela Bettis (Committee Member)A.G. Rud (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Teaching and Learning
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 218
- Identifiers
- 99900581827301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation