Theorising normalcy and the mundane book review

I went to a conference yesterday where a book was launched which includes a chapter that I wrote. Its based on my undergraduate research project, and as is typical when I had a mic in front of me I completely forgot what I was going to say and said nothing in particular. So I thought I would try again using my blog, as I hope you'll agree if you read my book, my words are more eloquent written down.

Who is a normal student?

That was my starting point. I used a process of discourse analysis (which I like to describe as using text as a passive research participant) to discover how the universities use the language of their prospectuses to define their "perfect" or "normal" student. I found some amazing things about prospectuses which you can read more of in the chapter, but my favourite one was how all the institutions used the word you.

You is such a tiny word but yet was ascribed so much power in constructing the normal student. It was used as past, present and future and as plural and singular. You was used when it might have been better to say you all. It was used to homogenise groups and exclude others. You was the device that the institutions used to communicate directly and provocatively with their target audience.

I contextualise my findings with wider discourse that feeds into the higher education system such as the marketisation agenda and concepts such as a gatekeeper and create my own idea around spheres of normal.

I have used pictures to help illustrate my findings, because I found it helpful to see them and not just read about them, so I hope it helps clarify things.

I had hoped when i did my research originally that it would act as a springboard and a catalyst for others to research, mainly becuase its quite a small scale research project. Its really exciting because through this book I can envisage this happening even more so.

So, this is my chapter of this awesome book. Feel free to contact me on twitter @allbigideas for any questions you have and you can buy the book and the rest of the chapters from here: http://storefront.chester.ac.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_14&products_id=626