Experiences of Muslim Female Students in Social Work Programs in Western Canada

dc.contributor.advisorWalsh, Christine Ann
dc.contributor.authorSalim, Saleema
dc.contributor.committeememberBadry, Dorothy Eleanor
dc.contributor.committeememberEste, David Clarence
dc.date2022-06
dc.date.accessioned2022-06-03T21:05:52Z
dc.date.available2022-06-03T21:05:52Z
dc.date.issued2022-05
dc.description.abstractCanada is known globally as a multicultural country, yet multiple studies have indicated that Muslim Canadians believe discrimination, based on their religious beliefs, is common. What is less well-understood is the experience of discrimination of Muslim students in post-secondary settings, particularly in social work. The theoretical framework included feminism and postcolonial feminist theory to answer the research question: What are the experiences of Muslim female students with regards to discrimination inclusion/exclusion, social justice, and equity in social work programs in Western Canada? The study used a qualitative descriptive phenomenological design. Twelve Muslim female students currently enrolled in or recent graduates (within the past two years) of university social work programs in Western Canada were recruited vis convenience sampling methods. Semi-structured exploratory interviews were conducted between September and November 2020 and the phenomenological approach was used for data analysis. The results of the analysis yielded four themes that helped to explain the Muslim female students’ experiences of the social work programs. The themes are: 1) "I am a Muslim woman”, 2) visible religious identity in educational settings, 3) experiences of social exclusion in social work programs, and 4) consequences for Muslim female students. Study participants identified experiences of exclusion, stereotyping, and discrimination, including the lack of Muslim culture and religion in the social work curriculum. A number of challenges, such as the lack of diversity, lack of awareness by professors and students were faced by Muslim female students. These findings could better inform educators and policymakers in designing curriculum and formulating culturally appropriate policies to increase diversity and inclusion. Further research is needed to understand cultural competencies among non-Muslim professors and peers to address the inclusion/exclusion of Muslim female students using a larger sample size.en_US
dc.identifier.citationSalim, S. (2022). Experiences of Muslim female students in social work programs in Western Canada (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39808
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/114705
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultySocial Worken_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectMuslim girlsen_US
dc.subjectphenomenologyen_US
dc.subjectsocial worken_US
dc.subjectCanadaen_US
dc.subject.classificationSocial Worken_US
dc.titleExperiences of Muslim Female Students in Social Work Programs in Western Canadaen_US
dc.typedoctoral thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Worken_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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