An ethnography of Coatesville : a study of a community development effort / William J. Loewen.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Microformat

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Loewen, William J.

Contributor:

Smith, Kenwyn K., advisor.

University of Pennsylvania.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Penn dissertations--Social work.

Social work--Penn dissertations.

Local Subjects:

Penn dissertations--Social work.

Social work--Penn dissertations.

Physical Description:

viii, 345 pages ; 29 cm

Production:

2000.

Summary:

Literature provided few examples of studies that applied embedded intergroup theory (a combination of social identity, differentiation of identity, social comparison, dynamic conservatism, structural encasement, and embeddedness theories) to large systems such as communities. This study contributed to theory development in a large-system setting by assessing the ability of embedded intergroup theory to explain the community dynamics surrounding a community development effort in Coatesville, Pennsylvania in the 1990s.

This study used the extended case study model of ethnography. Analysis started with theory (macro), analyzed the data for unexplainable phenomena (micro), and returned to theory to enhance it (macro). Data was gathered through review of archival sources (newspaper, printed materials), focus group, interviews, and field observation.

Coatesville was one of the poorest communities in Pennsylvania, located in the wealthiest county in Pennsylvania. Coatesville's population was approximately half non-white, while the county was predominantly white. The intergroup dynamics of the community change effort were rooted in a lynching of an African American in 1911. Key to the dynamics was conflict that centered across two identity splits: "insider" versus "outsider," and white versus black.

A group of business leaders (CAPP) successfully initiated a community change effort, despite strong resistance, with city leadership eventually assuming the lead in implementing a comprehensive community development plan. Indications were seen that the community change effort might have initiated conflict across a new class identity split.

The study generated a model of a community social system (a "Rubik's Cube") that suggested two propositions: (1) flexible identity splits hold a community together and support evolving change; and (2) a balance of focus on intra and intergroup relationships maximizes a group's development and effectiveness as a system change agent.

A weakness of embedded group theory was that it provided no conceptual link to intragroup development theory. The internal development of two key change agents appeared linked to community dynamics, but no theoretical model exists to understand this interaction. This is a critical area for new research.

Notes:

Thesis (Ph.D. in Social Work) -- University of Pennsylvania, 2000.

Includes bibliographical references.

University Microfilms order no.: 99-65522.

OCLC:

244971160