Date of Award
2014
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Graduate Group
Education
First Advisor
Shaun R. Harper
Second Advisor
John L. Jackson
Abstract
THE STORIES WE TELL: NARRATIVES OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG BLACK UNDERGRADUATES
Keon M. McGuire
Shaun R. Harper
John L. Jackson, Jr.
Discourse surrounding religion in the American public sphere, especially as it relates to young adults, primarily exists within church decline narratives; or the declining significance of faith traditions and institutions. Yet, when a framework that dismisses the role of religion and spirituality is utilized for interpreting and making sense of young adults' spirituality, interesting, revitalizing, and innovative ways in which young adults are doing spirituality and religion remain obscured. Thus, scholars must employ a different set of theories and methodologies to excavate the spiritual and religious from ostensibly secular spaces and practices. In postsecondary education the need to better understand shifting terrains of spirituality and religion among young adults is particularly acute. As such, this study was primarily interested in how Black undergraduate students describe their spiritual and religious identity developmental processes before and during college. Moreover, I was interested in understanding what role college experiences and environments play in Black students' spiritual and religious identity development.
Recommended Citation
McGuire, Keon Monte, "The Stories We Tell: Narratives of Spiritual Development of Black Undergraduates" (2014). Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations. 1364.
https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/1364
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Higher Education Administration Commons, Higher Education and Teaching Commons