‘Culture shock’: Black students account for their distinctiveness at an elite college.

Previous research on black students attending predominantly white colleges has emphasized race-based differences with white students while downplaying differences in social class. This research indicates that class-based differences are an important component of many black students' discomfort at ‘N...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Ethnic & Racial Studies Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 883 - 906
Autor principal: Torres, Kimberly
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd June 2009
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Previous research on black students attending predominantly white colleges has emphasized race-based differences with white students while downplaying differences in social class. This research indicates that class-based differences are an important component of many black students' discomfort at ‘Northern College’, a school that has traditionally served wealthy white students. Drawing on interviews and participant observation done on campus, I apply cultural capital theory to explain how differences in class-specific cultural styles make campus life difficult for non-affluent blacks and discuss the implications of the findings for future research on black college experiences. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.