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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Education
Notes
- Abstract:
- Purpose: The purpose of this research study was to discover and give voice to graduate faculty members’ opinions and beliefs regarding their experience at a faith based Catholic international university. Understanding faculty members’ perceptions and lived experiences while teaching at the graduate level may provide administrators with insight into the distinguishable nature of graduate level higher education at a Catholic university. Fostering an understanding and awareness of faculty experiences and educational practices within the climate of a Catholic international university may offer substantive descriptions about faith-based academe and the alignment of graduate faculty experiences with the university’s mission. Method: This phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with twelve (12) purposively selected full-time graduate faculty members at one Catholic international university in South Florida. Participants were asked to provide their insights, perceptions, and beliefs using an online questionnaire that included ten (10) open-ended questions. Responses to the questionnaire were completely anonymous. Participants were asked to describe and explain, from their perspectives, their experiences as graduate faculty at a Catholic international university. Responses included, but were not limited to, opinions and experiences regarding seeking employment, faith, instructional strategies, curricula, classroom management, and administration, while teaching graduate level courses at a Catholic university. Moustakas’ (1994) seminal work describing the phenomenological approach in qualitative research scripted the methods followed throughout the data collection, data processing, and data analysis of this investigation. Using an inductive process based on the descriptions provided by participants, concepts were outlined, and themes were identified. Major Findings: Participants expressed diverse, and often polarized experiences as graduate faculty members at a Catholic international university. Most believed that the driving force that brought them there, and kept them there, was the university’s core commitment to social justice. Graduate faculty members’ opinions were mixed as to the degree by which the university practiced what it preached, especially in the area of gay/lesbian/transgender issues. Participants expressed a variety of reservations about teaching at a Catholic international university, included the potential for discrimination and the imposition of religious content on the curriculum. Participants stated that they highly valued scholarly collaboration, including research, both internal and external to the institution, but felt it was not a high priority to the university or specific schools within the university. Intense workloads and the lack of necessary resources, such as time and funding, were viewed as obstacles to conducting such activities. Some graduate faculty members expressed the desire for transparent governance with objective accountability measurements to align the university’s faith-based mission with daily activities performed by graduate faculty. Participants embraced the integration of the university’s faith-based mission and Aristotle’s concept of Praxis, which described the actions that embody certain human qualities specifically including a deep commitment to human life, the search for truth, and the respect for others. All participants described themselves as persons of faith and valued the freedom to openly discuss faith as a vital thread to the human experience, and the distinguishable nature of Catholic education.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2008.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-144).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Michelle Antoinette Straub. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- LC508.U33 S73 2008_StraubMichelle ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- LC508.U33 S73 2008 ( lcc )
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