Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Theory, Knowledge and Science Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Selected Works

Diversity

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Theory, Knowledge and Science

Sociology By Any Other Name: Teaching The Sociological Perspective In Campus Diversity Programs, Meghan A. Burke, Kira Hudson Banks Dec 2011

Sociology By Any Other Name: Teaching The Sociological Perspective In Campus Diversity Programs, Meghan A. Burke, Kira Hudson Banks

Meghan A. Burke

This article suggests that the way in to sociology may not always be through the front door. The authors demonstrate how students in a three-day campus diversity program develop a sociological imagination despite not having a formal affiliation with the sociology department. In particular, students demonstrate a move from color blindness into racial consciousness and a shift from individual prejudice into institutional privilege when understanding both diversity issues and their own personal biographies. In short, despite not knowing the phrase, they develop a sociological imagination. While the goal is not to diminish the significance of traditional sociology classrooms, the authors …

Go to article

Discursive Fault Lines: Reproducing White Habitus In A Racially Diverse Community, Meghan A. Burke Dec 2011

Discursive Fault Lines: Reproducing White Habitus In A Racially Diverse Community, Meghan A. Burke

Meghan A. Burke

This is a qualitative study detailing the links between racial discourse and social action. Specifically, this article provides evidence for the ways in which a white habitus is reproduced in a racially diverse community, despite the best intentions of its community members. This is chiefly due to the influence of national color-blind ideologies and the diversity discourse that follows. Because this ideology and discourse are individual in nature and centered on a white norm, it chiefly produces consumption-driven actions for individuals and collective action that protects those with racial privilege. While prior studies have detailed the influence of this ideology …

Go to article

Diversity And Its Discontents: Ambivalence In Neighborhood Policy And Racial Attitudes In The Obama Era, Meghan Burke Dec 2009

Diversity And Its Discontents: Ambivalence In Neighborhood Policy And Racial Attitudes In The Obama Era, Meghan Burke

Meghan A. Burke

This article examines the ways that members of three adjoining stably racially diverse urban communities conceptualize and engage diversity, and the ways in which their discourse and actions are cohesive with federal policies. Making use of interviews with 41 active residents in these communities, I argue that even in liberal, pro-Obama, racially diverse communities, a considerable amount of ambivalence exists in both thought and action connected to diversity, an ambivalence which is cohesive with Obama’s own federal policies that impact neighborhoods like these. The community members define diversity broadly beyond race, are ambivalent about its presence in their community, and …

Go to article