LE3 .A278 2011

2011

Whitehall, Geoffrey

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

Political Science

Politics

The University has not been protected from the growing influence of neoliberal policies in society. This has resulted in the commercialization of this public institution. The two key effects of this commercialization are the increased openness of the University to the special interests of the corporate sector and the adoption of the forms of operation common to the corporate sector by the University. This has created what Bill Readings calls the “contemporary University,” which is a bureaucratic corporation whose sole social responsibility to society is providing services for a fee. The purpose of this thesis is to explore how space is conceptualized in the contemporary University and how the construction of space impacts the presence and effectiveness of student activism. By applying the arguments of David Harvey, Doreen Massey, and Sharon Zukin, I argue that in the contemporary University, corporate actors and an autonomous administration use the control of space to foster a particular culture and landscape that forms the University into what Michael M’Gonigle terms, a “placeless space.” By examining the case of Acadia University, it will be demonstrated that the University as a “placeless space” negatively affects the presence and effectiveness of student activism, which, in turn, hinders the University from achieving its proposed vision. To conclude, this thesis will argue that the University must realize its potential as a place. This will allow the University to become a situated community that supports the emergence of student activism, which is positive for both the University and society at large.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:846