A Critical Discourse Analysis of University President Responses to Student Protests

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Analysis of University Statements and Responses to Politically Charged Topics (Table 13)

Abstract

Spring 2024 saw protests calling for divestment of university funds from organizations supporting Israel in response to escalating violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We use critical discourse analysis to analyze two emails from a university president sent in response to two such protests. These emails are only one side of a complex discourse between protestors and administrators. They reveal the ways that a university president exercises their power to attempt to craft a narrative that mirrors broader US politics. This is done through the use of strategic inclusive and exclusive discursive strategies, where protesters are activated in ways that attribute responsibility for negative outcomes and “the University” is positioned as a protector.

Authors

• Molly Novelli, Southern Methodist University

• Max Edward Love, University of Texas at Austin