This dissertation explores the reasons that African American students participate at lower levels in foreign language programs in terms of taking courses and majoring and minoring in foreign languages. The primary foreign language that it explores is Spanish, and its findings suggest that the introduction of the language devoid of the influence of Afro-diasporic linkages to Spanish culture leads to the topic being taught in abstraction, therefore causing a lack of interest among African American students. As this study shows, a teacher's thinking about cultural and racial difference is often intimately woven into their disciplinary training, and as a result, the convergence of these influences affects a professor's ability to provide culturally responsive service and a student's desire to engage both the teacher and the subject area. Integrating relevant foreign language theory and Afro-diasporic literature this dissertation conducts inquiry into pedagogical approaches for attracting African American students into the area of foreign languages.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-04152011-150931 |
| Date | 20 April 2011 |
| Creators | Watterson, Katrina |
| Contributors | Bongiorni, Kevin, Burke, Brian, Cheek, Earl, Doll, Willaim, Mitchell, Roland |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-04152011-150931/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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