Crossing Borders

International Women Students in American Higher Education

By (author) Dongxiao Qin

Not available to order

Publication date:

16 May 2009

Length of book:

226 pages

Publisher

UPA

ISBN-13: 9780761844846

This book explores the processes of self-understanding that take place in a group of Chinese women studying in universities in the United States. In the past few decades, there has been an increasing number of Chinese women attending U.S. universities, yet their psychological experiences within American culture have not been a focus of study by researchers in higher education. Those who crossed geographic, cultural, and psychological borders to study in the U.S. described their change as a basic psychological process called 'reweaving a fragmented self.' This book contributes to the educator's understanding of the diversity of international women's student experiences, expectations, and desires.

Chapter 1
Chapter I: Introduction
Chapter 2 Background and Significance
Chapter 3 Theoretical Grounding
Chapter 4 The Inquiry
Chapter 5
Chapter II: A Critical Review of Traditional Models of Self Development
Chapter 6 Self in Western Pyschology
Chapter 7 Self in Chinese Psychology
Chapter 8 Self in Anthropology and Cultural Psychology
Chapter 9 Self in Phenomenology, Symbolic Interaction and Sociocultural Theories
Chapter 10 Self in Cultural Feminist Theories
Chapter 11 Voices from Critical Feminist Theories
Chapter 12 Deconstructing Self from Postmodern Feminist Theorists
Chapter 13 Toward a Critical and Local Interpretation of Culture and Self
Chapter 14 Chinese Students in the United States
Chapter 15 Overview
Chapter 16
Chapter III: Grounded Theory Approach
Chapter 17 Methodology
Chapter 18 Theoretical and Epistemological Underpinings
Chapter 19 Participants and Sampling
Chapter 20 Interview
Chapter 21 Data Analysis
Chapter 22 Identifying Processes and Phases
Chapter 23 Validity Issues
Chapter 24
Chapter IV: Reweaving a Fragmented Self in Cross-Cultural Contexts
Chapter 25 Major Process: Reweaving a Fragmented Web of Self
Chapter 26 Being Women Students in One's Homeland: Weaving Self
Chapter 27 Becoming International Women Graduates in a New Land: Fragmenting Self
Chapter 28 Reweaving Self
Chapter 29 Summary of Processes and Variations
Chapter 30
Chapter V:Theoretical Implications
Chapter 31 Weaving Self in Socio-Cultural Contexts
Chapter 32 Fragmenting Self by Deconstructing Ways of Being in Cultural Contexts
Chapter 33 Reweaving Multiple Selves through Critical Cultural Elements
Chapter 34 Implications for Theory Building
Chapter 35 Implications to American Higher Education
Chapter 36 Assisting International Women Students in U.S. Universities
Chapter 37 Specific Suggestions to Faculty and Administrators in U.S. Universities
Chapter 38 Advice to Prospective International Women Students
Chapter 39 Implications to Help International Women Students in American Higher Education
Chapter 40 Conclusion

Crossing Borders: International Women Students in American Higher Education is a compelling example of qualitative research that illuminates a concept, transitions in the sense of self, and describes the experiences of a particular group. . .. While the voices of the interviewed women are compelling and interesting in their own right, the theoretical contribution of this book is in its argument that a critical and local interpretation of cultures and self is an important conceptual framework.. . . In addition to the theoretical contribution and illustration of meaningful cultural differences, Qin offers advice for both American hosts and Chinese students, bringing her conclusions to a practical level. For that reason, I recommend this book for people who work with international students..