Date of Award
5-2024
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Academic Program
Political Science BA
Department
Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs
First Advisor
Marek Steedman, Ph.D.
Advisor Department
Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs
Abstract
In lieu of the recent Supreme Court overturn of affirmative action, Asian American students were on the forefront as the main racial group defended in this case. The model minority stereotype obscures societal perceptions of Asians and Asian Americans as collectively intelligent, hard-working, and submissive. Whereas the stereotype appears frequently in academic settings, this research aims to understand and contextualize the perceptions on affirmative action among Asian college students within the context and social dynamics of the model minority stereotype. A qualitative approach was deployed to garner nuance narratives of fifteen participants in the study. Participants in the study represent Asian, Hispanic, Black, and White racial groups. The narratives of the participants were obtained through direct, personal interviews (IRB 23-0909).
The study found that most participants were familiar with the model minority stereotype and its implications in educational settings. Instances of both positive and negative perceptions of the stereotype on academic achievement were found. Participants held varied and nuanced perspectives on affirmative action policies in higher education, regardless of their experiences with racial stereotypes. In part, participants' experiences with the model minority stereotype suggested their sympathies, or lack thereof, towards affirmative action policies. The study aims to portray the understandings of affirmative action among university students, particularly those of minority groups. Further research without limitations would be most productive to answering the research question as posed in the study.
Copyright
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Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Jannie, "Inclusive Policy, Diverse Perspectives: Affirmative Action and the Model Minority Among University Students" (2024). Honors Theses. 986.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/986
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