Document Type
Thesis
First Faculty Advisor
Alex Perullo
Second Faculty Advisor
Tom Zammarelli
Keywords
intersectionality theory; black feminist theory; visual anthropology; documentary; interdisciplinary; fieldwork
Publisher
Bryant University
Rights Management
(CC-BY-NC)
Abstract
Black women in modern-day American society face various forms of oppression as a result of misogynoir, the disliking of or bias against black women. A smaller society of our modern societies is college campuses. Predominantly white institutions (PWIs) specifically have a structure that results in a unique yet universal cultural experience for Black women. This research will answer the question: are there commonalities between Black women in their undergraduate experiences at PWI campuses? Qualitative research will be conducted with methodology including archival research and interviews to collect data. Intersectionality theory, Invisibility theory, and Black feminist thought/theory will be used as theoretical frameworks to conduct the research. The theories were key findings in the literature review. Interviews of undergraduate Black women who attend PWI campuses in the state of Rhode Island will be conducted as the main source of research. The interviews will be recorded and used for a documentary, which will be the final project of the study. This research is relevant to a call for academic research to explore the experiences of Black women at PWIs for identity development as a sense of belonging is a significant factor to the call and the research as a whole. Preliminary research suggests that Black women who attend PWI campuses struggle with a sense of belonging and institutional support. Initiatives will be outlined as potential solutions to any issues that emerge from the research findings.
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Black History Commons, Community-Based Research Commons, Cultural History Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, Social History Commons, Social Justice Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Comments
This short documentary is a creative medium project completed for an honors thesis capstone. Nilsa utilizes qualitative research methods to complete findings.