An African American woman's educational journey: pragmatic and pedagogical practices of fantasy

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Marrissa R. Dick (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Kathleen Casey

Abstract: My dissertation is an autobiographical narrative about my journey through a non-pedagogical and oppressive school system, to an oppressive marriage, and back to a graduate program that, in my opinion, epitomizes the essence of pedagogy. I explain how fantasy theory has situated itself in my life as a metacognitive tool in order to save my conscious reality as it guided me towards transcendence. I address my introduction to fantasy as a child inside of the classroom. I talk about mis-educative experiences inside of the classroom and provide examples of those experiences. I discuss microaggression and how it was played out during my earlier educational years as well as describe my experience with internal-microaggression during my master's program. I explain how fantasy returned to my life during my marriage and divorce. I also discuss my relationship with the Black church utilizing soul therapy. I talk about my African American contemporary Christian romance novels and how writing them allowed me to be reflective on my past relationships so I could still have faith and hope of love in my future. I conclude my dissertation by providing examples of my teaching pedagogy and my inspirations for those reading my dissertation. In essence this dissertation is a qualitative culmination of past recollections, current reflections, and future endeavors as I continue to learn and transcend through my lifelong journey with education.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2012
Keywords
African American Women, Autoethnography, Fantasy Theory, Micro-Aggression, Mis-Education, Soul Therapy
Subjects
African American women $v Biography
African American women $x Religious life
Educational anthropology

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