Description
The number of community college honors programs has significantly increased since the 1980s. This study analyzes qualitative data collected from employee, student, and faculty participants associated with a community college honors program in the western United States during the months of April 2011 and January-March 2012. Using a theoretical framework derived from literature on Institutional Isomorphism and Academic Capitalism, this work explores the motivations behind the creation of a community college honors program, the implementation of the program, and the program's effects on the micro-level experiences of those affiliated. The data analysis reveals that the motivations for the incorporation and continuation of the Honors Program are driven by hopes of improving the college's reputation and attracting new funding sources for its academic programs. These findings are consistent with arguments about Institutional Isomorphism and Academic Capitalism. However, consistent with literature on program implementation, I identified barriers in the form of staff and student perceptions that impede Honor's program conformity to ideal standards. I refer to this finding as "incomplete isomorphism."
Details
Title
- When isomorphism fails: structural barriers to a community college honors program
Contributors
- Huntsinger, Marie T (Author)
- Jurik, Nancy C. (Thesis advisor)
- Adams, Jimi (Committee member)
- Hesse, Maria L. (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2012
Subjects
- Organization Theory
- Sociology Of Education
- Education (Higher)
- academic capitalism
- Community Colleges
- honors programs
- implementation
- incomplete isomporphism
- instiutional isomorphism
- Community colleges--Honors courses--Southwest, New--Case studies.
- Community Colleges
- Community colleges--Southwest, New--Administration--Case studies.
- Community Colleges
- Community colleges--Southwest, New--Finance--Case studies.
- Community Colleges
- Community college students--Southwest, New--Attitudes--Case studies.
- Community college students
- Community colleges--Southwest, New--Employees--Attitudes--Case studies.
- Community Colleges
Resource Type
Collections this item is in
Note
- Partial requirement for: M.A., Arizona State University, 2012Note typethesis
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-79)Note typebibliography
- Field of study: Sociology
Citation and reuse
Statement of Responsibility
by Marie T. Huntsinger