Date of Award
5-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Legacy Department
Applied Sociology
Committee Member
Dr. William Haller, Committee Chair
Committee Member
Dr. Catherine Mobley
Committee Member
Dr. Sharon Nagy
Abstract
This study examines the effects of participation in study abroad on undergraduate students' engagement with racial and religious diversity to identify outcomes and patterns that support the prominent goals in higher education of promoting global learning and enhancing inclusion and diversity on university campuses. Based on the framework of intergroup contact theory, I use hierarchical regression models to analyze data from the National Survey of Student Engagement collected at Clemson University in 2013 and 2015. Among undergraduate seniors, participation in study abroad is significantly associated with greater engagement with topics related to racial and religious diversity, and engagement with diverse peers. The results corroborate previous findings that study abroad has significant effects on students' perspectives and behaviors, and suggest that the prejudice reduction effects of intergroup contact that may result from study abroad experiences generalize to subsequent interactions on students' home campuses.
Recommended Citation
Hanson, Rachel Anne, "Intergroup Contact through Study Abroad: An Investigation of Effects of Study Abroad on Student Engagement with Racial and Religious Diversity" (2017). All Theses. 2633.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/2633