Keywords
Communication of technical information, women, technical writing, communication and technology, gender role in the work environment, sexism, communication & gender, technology & women
Abstract
Women are currently underrepresented in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The purpose of this thesis is to explore how this underrepresentation translates to a gender gap in the field of technical communication and how this gap causes women to challenge the predominant objectivist paradigm in the field. Through an investigation of peer-reviewed journal articles, periodicals, critical theory, and articles published in online magazines such as Slate, I identify the gendered nature of modern technology and discuss to what extent a shift in the predominant paradigm has occurred in the professional arena. In looking at several theoretical approaches and contemporary examples, I conclude that a significant paradigm shift has not in fact occurred due to an underlying, culturally promoted sexism. Additionally, I conclude that neither new approaches in the technical communication classroom, nor attempts to increasingly include women in the technological fields will result in a significant paradigm change by themselves. I also point to a need for further meaningful research in how sexism influences the professional world as well as a more thorough conversation regarding a fundamental shift in workplace relations between the genders.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2012
Semester
Fall
Advisor
Jones, Daniel
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Arts and Humanities
Department
English
Degree Program
English; Technical Communications
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0004523
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0004523
Language
English
Release Date
12-15-2017
Length of Campus-only Access
5 years
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
Subjects
Arts and Humanities -- Dissertations, Academic, Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Humanities
STARS Citation
Bower, Nathan, "The Gender Gap In Technical Communication: How Women Challenge The Predominant Objectivist Paradigm" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2376.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/2376