The Rhetoric of and Resistance to Secretary Betsy DeVos on Campus

• In Event: Democratic Purpose of Higher Education in the Context of Neoliberalism

Abstract

In this paper, we utilize critical discourse analysis (CDA) to examine the political discourse of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and the counter-discourse of protestors at the commencement ceremony for the University of Baltimore. We offer three findings from our analysis of this case: “school choice” goes to college, the convergence of religion and state in education, and the critical turn in educational activism. Ultimately, we conclude with a discussion around the importance of discourse regarding educational policy and the point to new directions for activism in higher education.

Authors

• Shawn Richard Coon, University of Utah

• Sean Crossland, Salt Lake Community College