Metrics
11 File views/ downloads
125 Record Views
Dissertation
Examining Doctoral Students' Perceptions of Diversity in a Diversity Studies Specialization
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2017
Abstract
A recent challenge for contemporary education has been to efficiently educate the increasingly diverse American population (Holley, 2013). Seeking to resolve the problems related to the education of a diverse student population, colleges and universities across the United States have begun to require students to enroll in diversity courses (Humphreys, 2000). Tsui (1999) and Case (2007) found that diversity courses provided various educational and behavioral benefits. However, despite the benefits provided by diversity courses, educational systems have directed their attention to the number of diversity courses necessary to promote significant change in students' perceptions (Bowman, 2010a). According to Bowman (2010a), all students should take multiple diversity courses to increase the benefits. The current study adopted a qualitative research design using narrative inquiry approach along with transformative learning theory framework. Participants of this study were 17 male and female doctoral students enrolled in a diversity studies specialization at the University of West Florida. This study used interviews as a main source of data. This researcher analyzed the data and presented emergent themes to provide insight into participants' first-hand experiences regarding diversity. The findings of this study were reflective of individual participants' perceptions and experiences. Data collected from participants suggested that doctoral students experienced positive perspective transformation after taking multiple diversity courses. Results of this study contribute to educational policies and practices as findings suggest that a wide variety of diversity courses should be included in the higher educational curriculum. Multiple diversity courses may positively influence students' perspectives about diversity by providing them the tools to successfully engage and interact in an increasingly diverse society.
Details
- Title
- Examining Doctoral Students' Perceptions of Diversity in a Diversity Studies Specialization
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 211
- Copyright
- Unpublished work © Daniel de Souza Correa
- Identifiers
- 99380090860306600
- Academic Unit
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Doctor of Education (EDD)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida