Date of Award
12-2008
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Anthropology
First Advisor
Dr. Vincent Lyon-Callo
Second Advisor
Dr. Allen Zagarell
Third Advisor
Dr. Laura Spielvogel
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
My research for this thesis focuses on the city of Dearborn, Michigan. I investigate the discursive forums of identity amongst Arab Americans living in Dearborn. I look to answer whether or not such homogenous communities, like the Arab American community, really exist. If there is such a community that is homogenous, then whose construct is it? I also investigate whether or not Arab Americans identify themselves as being Arab or American. My investigation in this thesis touches on all of these aspects. In order to carry out my analysis, I used an institution in the city of Dearborn to collect my data. This institution is the Arab American National Museum. There I constructed multiple interviews with staff members and directors in connection to Arab American identity in the city of Dearborn to emphasize my theory that the Arab American National Museum is not only a museum filled with artifacts, but also a reinstatement of Arab American identity.
Recommended Citation
Bazzi, Ali Y., "An Arab American" (2008). Masters Theses. 187.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/187