Japanese American Cultural Identity: The Role of WWII, Internment, and the 3/11 Disaster in Japan

<p>This research explores the nature of Japanese American cultural identity through an examination of the historical contexts of WWII, internment, and the 3/11 disasters in Japan. Interview data was analyzed using both interpretive and critical paradigms. I then utilized the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), the corresponding concept of identity gaps, and critical-cultural hybridity. It was found that Japanese Americans construct, enact, and relate to their identities in markedly different ways despite belonging to the same cultural group. In turn, I am proposing further revision to CTI's communal frame to exemplify the shared and contested elements of a collective. This research also suggests that the structural context of internment has impacted Japanese Americans even though they may not perceive much of an impact on their own identity conceptions. Moreover, this study argues that internment has profoundly shaped the lives of Japanese Americans, which future research can continue to explore.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Miller, Carrie L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Margaret Thompson, Ph.D.
• Lynn Schofield Clark
• Bonnie Clark
• Devin Joshi
• Christine Sheikh

• Japanese internment
• Communication Theory of Identity
• CTI
• Critical-cultural hybridity
• Identity gaps
• Asian American Studies
• Communication
• Critical and Cultural Studies
• Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/432

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1431