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The Court Is Now in Session: Professor Discourse on Student Attrition

Author

Abstract

Evgeny Terentyev - M.A. in Sociology, Analyst, The Internal Monitoring Center, National Research University-Higher School of Economics. Email: eterentev@hse.ruIvan Gruzdev - M.A. in Sociology, Director, The Internal Monitoring Center, National Research University-Higher School of Economics. Email: igruzdev@hse.ruElena Gorbunova - M.A. in Sociology, Analyst, The Internal Monitoring Center, National Research University-Higher School of Economics. Email: evgorbunova@hse.ruAddress: 20 Myasnitskaya str., 101000, Moscow, Russian Federation.A discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews with professors of 9 Russian universities has been conducted. The analysis focused on the narratives about student attrition and its causes and revealed the generally accusing nature of professors' discourses. All narratives can be integrated and described under the metaphor of a trial. In the most blatant form, the discourse is constructed in a prosecutor style, but attorney- and judge-like speeches also blame students for the high attrition rates. All the three types of discourse build figurative barriers between the university and professors on the one hand and students on the other. These barriers encourage professors to feel uninvolved in student attrition. None of the discourse types phrased the university mission or problematized the principles and goals of university activities. We suggest that the bad student discourse reflects some real problems associated with massification of education and with inevitable changes to the student body. Professor discourse analysis makes it possible to assume that response to these changes is restricted to stating the problems and disassociating oneself from them. Construction of figurative barriers may result in professors' self-distancing not only from students but also from the changes affecting the education system. Such self-distancing complicates the process of adaptation to changes, making it poorly controllable.DOI: 10.17323/1814-9545-2015-2-129-151

Suggested Citation

  • Evgeniy Terentev & Ivan Gruzdev & Elena Gorbunova, 2015. "The Court Is Now in Session: Professor Discourse on Student Attrition," Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 2, pages 129-151.
    • Handle: RePEc:nos:voprob:2015:i:2:p:129-151
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    Cited by:

    1. Щеглова И. А. & Корешникова Ю. Н. & Паршина О. А., 2019. "Роль Студенческой Вовлеченности В Развитии Критического Мышления," Вопросы образования // Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 1, pages 264-289.
    2. Шмелева Е. Д. & Семенова Т. В., 2019. "Академическое мошенничество студентов: учебная мотивация vs образовательная среда," Вопросы образования // Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 3, pages 101-129.
    3. Evgeniia Shmeleva & Tatiana Semenova, 2019. "Academic Dishonesty among College Students: Academic Motivation vs Contextual Factors," Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 3, pages 101-129.
    4. Irina Shcheglova & Yulia Koreshnikova & Olga Parshina, 2019. "The Role of Engagement in the Development of Critical Thinking in Undergraduates," Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 1, pages 264-289.

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