JOURNAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION THEORY AND PRACTICE

Engaging the Tea Party through Pedagogy

Author(s): Leslie A. Bunnage

Citation: Leslie A. Bunnage, (2012) "Engaging the Tea Party through Pedagogy," Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, Vol.12, Iss. 6, pp. 40 - 53

Article Type: Research paper

Publisher: North American Business Press

Abstract:

This paper describes the difficulties and rewards found by a cohort of undergraduate researchers as they engaged local Tea Party chapters. While gathering data as part of a research methods course, students found themselves in complicated territory, confronted by research subjects who were wary of higher education, and thus the students’ motives and demographics. Our engagement with the Tea Party highlighted a number of challenging issues related to researcher perspectives and roles, and the relationship between higher education and community. Ultimately students benefitted by being placed in a situation in which they had to justify their presence and engage members.