عنوان

Confronting Islamophobia:

TLpq2283362923

انگلیسی

Confronting Islamophobia:

[Thesis]

Davis, Jason Oliver

Exploring The Potential Effect of Difficult Dialogue on Undergraduate Student Biases Concerning Islam

Smith, Julia B.

Oakland University

2019

141

Ph.D.

Oakland University

2019

College campuses in America have become increasingly diverse in recent years. The increase in diversity has not resulted in an increase in intergroup dialogue and/or interactions. Many college campuses have employed a variety of diversity and inclusion programs to foster intergroup relations and improve campus climate. One type of program that has been utilized is "difficult dialogues," conversations centered on topics often deemed too taboo to discuss (race, religion, LGBTQ, etc.). This research study explored the impact of difficult dialogue programs on implicit attitudes towards Islam. Using a quasi-experimental design, I investigated whether participation in a difficult dialogue program led to a change in results on an implicit attitude test (IAT) of college students. In addition to examining the impact of this program, I also explored the views of participants in the program about their opinions regarding Islam. The study focused on undergraduate students of a single university. I compared the treatment group of 18 students who participated in a difficult dialogue session to the control group of 15 students who did not participate. Participants from both groups were recruited from courses housed in the same department at the university in an attempt to minimize differences between the two groups. Findings revealed that participants in the treatment group had increased their affinity towards Islam to a higher degree than those in the control group. Findings also revealed that participants in the treatment group were less likely to have negative associations of Muslims following the difficult dialogue session and were more likely to recognize discrimination towards Muslims. Finally, the research revealed that participants of difficult dialogue sessions reported an increase in desire for further interactions with Muslims and learning about Islam. The implication of the findings for college campuses is that difficult dialogues on religion can be an effective tool to minimize biases towards religions and interfaith tensions and promote future interactions between faith communities.

Communication

Ethnic studies

Higher education

Religion

Davis, Jason Oliver

Smith, Julia B.

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y