Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Cottrell, Catherine
Area of Concentration
Psychology and Spanish Language and Literature
Abstract
This thesis aims to investigate how American history professors’ attitudes relate to the texts assigned to their students and how these readings portray Latines. Past research indicates that historical production of history narratives have been impacted by national identity, linguistic choices, instructors’ perspectives, and prejudice. These key ideas in historical narrative creation can have psychological ramifications for Latine students, such as stereotype threat or transmission, self-esteem alteration, personal disengagement, and lowered sense of belonging. The study examined six American history professors’ syllabi and survey results to see how Latines were represented in assigned readings and if there was a connection with the professors’ survey responses. There were 11 syllabi received with a total of 29 readings coded. Readings were coded for Latine content and the connotations (Negative, Negative-Neutral, Neutral, Positive-Neutral, or Positive), while surveys looked at implicit and explicit measures to gauge bias. Overall, the representations of Latines in the readings had between a Negative-Neutral and Neutral connotation (Mean=2.4), whereas surveys did not indicate signs of explicit or implicit biases.
Recommended Citation
Ott, Gabriela, "Complications with Historical Production: American History, Bias, and Latine Representation" (2022). Theses & ETDs. 6285.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6285