DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/FH0H-VX75
Defense Date
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Tressie Cottom
Second Advisor
Tara Stamm
Third Advisor
Jeffrey Toussaint
Abstract
The contemporary United States is at a crossroads with race: some believe achieving political equality rests in the ability to wilfully ignore race, while others assess colorblindness is a racial frame that only serves to prolong and irritate inequalities. Higher ed institutions have become involved in this conversation due to critiques of higher ed devaluing racial minorities both in the curriculum and in hiring practices. As a response, higher ed has promised to restructure their institution with diversity and PoC in mind. This research study seeks to understand if higher ed has maintained this promise. Twelve participants were qualitatively interviewed to assess their satisfaction with higher ed and the curriculum as it pertains to race. It was found that students were generally heavily critical of their education, particularly in the “diversity” claims made by the school. Their narratives additionally highlight the importance of sociological spaces within a neoliberal university.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-19-2016
Included in
Educational Sociology Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons