First Advisor

Birnbaum, Matthew

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

5-2018

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Leadership Policy and Development: Higher Education and P-12 Education, LPD Student Work

Abstract

This study is a constructivist, narrative case study exploring the experiences of Catholic college students at a secular university. Eight student narratives are explored through the lens of intersectionality theory, in the context of classroom experiences. This study reviews the history of religion in higher education, Christian privilege, religious identity development, and sense of belonging in order to contextualize the participants’ perceptions of being marginalized in academic settings. With consideration for current social issues and political debates, students reflected on their experiences and ultimately revealed that Catholic students are feeling marginalized in their classrooms, not only for their specific beliefs, but because of the lack of diverse perspectives shared in their learning environments. As a result, they are dropping classes, changing majors, and internalizing their feelings of confusion, frustration, and isolation. Students have a need for multiple perspectives in their classrooms. Educators can foster this type of learning environment by making space for various views to be shared and respected in academic settings. Future research could include explorations of other religious identities or identity intersections in order to lend further understanding to how classroom learning could be more inclusive and effective.

Extent

231 pages

Local Identifiers

Miller_unco_0161D_10629

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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