Dissertation Defense Announcement

College of Education announces the Final Dissertation Defense of

Jalesa Parks

for the Degree of Doctor of Education

March 19, 2019 at 3:00 PM in Ball Hall, Room 123J 

Advisor: Dr. Reginald Green

"Taught by My Auntie": The Impact of Social Justice Pedagogy on Transformational Resistance in Low-socioeconomic, African American Students

ABSTRACT: This study focuses on bridging the gap in the literature as it relates to the use of social justice pedagogy as a proactive means by which to address the achievement gap, inherent biases, and deficit views of low-socioeconomic, African American students in today's schools. Research questions for the study are as follows: 1) What practices within social justice pedagogy do students find to be distinct from traditional classroom practices? 2) How do Black students perceive the impact of social justice pedagogy on their Transformative Resistance? 3) How do Black students perceive the impact of social justice pedagogy on their self-efficacy and identity development? To answer the research questions, the study employs the data retrieved from the reflective essays of 50 first-year, African American students who were enrolled in an English Composition course that emphasized social justice on the campus of a Historically Black College and University. Initial data reveal that social justice pedagogy may be implemented by way of culturally relevant pedagogy, critical consciousness, and emancipatory pedagogy, which can affect students' development of transformational resistance, Black identity, and self-efficacy.