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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Living reading: The mutual construction of spirituality and reading

Abstract

dc:description

"Using materials gathered from a one and one-half year ethnographic study of several local affiliates of the Illinois Reading Council, the author explores the multiple meanings of reading that emerged from the group's practice, to develop the notion of ""living reading."" The dissertation provides background on the historical contexts from which the reading councils developed and an overview of current local council practice. It focuses close attention on the symbols, forms, rituals, genres, and discourses through which notions of reading are articulated in council practice. The analysis demonstrates the close ties that exist between the councils and Protestant practice as it was articulated through the development of women's voluntary benevolent associations. It discusses the ways that, through council practice, reading becomes a means of spiritual self-expression and fulfillment that allows members to be both compliant and resistant to institutionally imposed restrictions on their personal and professional growth."

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Education
Grantor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Year dc:date
2011

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Davidson, Judith
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Bruce, Bertram C.

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Copyright 1995 Davidson, Judith Ann
Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Identifier
AAI9543565
(UMI)AAI9543565
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/22347

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Base URL
www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Davidson, Judith. Living reading: The mutual construction of spirituality and reading. Dissertation thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2142/22347