Date of Award
Spring 5-11-2023
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Communication
Committee Chair
Dr. Christopher Campbell
Committee Chair School
Communication
Committee Member 2
Dr. Laura Stengrim
Committee Member 2 School
Communication
Committee Member 3
Dr. Fei Xue
Committee Member 3 School
Communication
Committee Member 4
Dr. Cheryl Jenkins
Committee Member 4 School
Communication
Committee Member 5
Dr. Steve Venette
Committee Member 5 School
Communication
Abstract
This research examines political and media discourse on Immigration through four studies: Trump’s immigration reform speech, newspaper coverage of DACA, a Saturday Night Live episode, and social media via #ColoradoBorderWall memes. Various critical cultural theoretical frameworks are used within critical discourse and textual analysis is to examine media and political rhetoric about immigrants and immigration policy during a period of drastic institutional political change evidenced by Trump’s administration. As a collective, these narratives examine how Trump’s rhetoric and populist style of communication demonstrate a return to restrictive immigration rhetoric not witnessed in a presidential administration since the 1920s. This research demonstrates how political rhetoric and media discourse are part of discursive formations the produce and reinforce nativist, xenophobic, and racist ideologies about undocumented immigrants, immigrants, citizenship, and national belonging.
Recommended Citation
Phillips, Daleana, "A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL AND MEDIA DISCOURSE ON IMMIGRATION DURING THE TRUMP ERA" (2023). Dissertations. 2136.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/2136
Included in
American Politics Commons, Communication Commons, Latin American Studies Commons, Sociology Commons