"I Am Also in the Position to Use My Whiteness to Help Them Out": The Communication of Whiteness in Service Learning
In this essay, we examine the relationship between Whiteness theory and service learning, specifically through an examination of an intercultural communication course we taught. In our analysis of student-written assignments, we reveal how service learning provides a context for students to rehearse...
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Published in | Western journal of communication Vol. 73; no. 4; pp. 418 - 436 |
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Main Authors | , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Salt Lake City
Taylor & Francis Group
01.10.2009
Routledge Taylor & Francis Ltd |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | In this essay, we examine the relationship between Whiteness theory and service learning, specifically through an examination of an intercultural communication course we taught. In our analysis of student-written assignments, we reveal how service learning provides a context for students to rehearse and affirm White privilege, despite the fact that they have been exposed to critical theories of Whiteness before engaging in service learning projects. Specifically, we identify and examine two rhetorical strategies that perpetuate White privilege in the context of service learning: (1) the conflation of being White with Whiteness, and (2) using White privilege for charity. Our analysis contributes a significant critique of the use of service learning in communication courses. |
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ISSN: | 1057-0314 1745-1027 |
DOI: | 10.1080/10570310903279083 |