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Dissertation_Klein Vanessa Ann.pdf (3.32 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Nature of Nature: Space, Place, and Identity on the Appalachian Trail

Klein, Vanessa Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1437837829

Abstract Details

2015, PHD, Kent State University, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies.
The purpose of this study was to examine nature experiences; how these experiences in nature impact place-making and in turn are impacted by place; why someone would choose to engage in an intense nature experience (in connection with significant life experiences); how people connect to nature and what their construction of nature is; and how knowledge is generated during an informal nature experience. A naturalistic inquiry methodology was selected to explore how Appalachian Trail thru-hikers experience and connect to nature, what prior nature experiences and formative influences led them to undertake a long-term outdoor experience, and the relationships between space, place, identity, and power. To address this purpose, I collected data from 18 Appalachian Trail thru-hikers via in-depth semi-structured interviews, observation field notes, and an autoethnographic research journal. The results of this research included a number of emergent findings. The emergent themes fell into the following categories: awareness of nature, identifying as a participant or observer in nature, power over nature, power of nature, social experiences, nature experiences, learning, significant life experiences, formative influences, reasoning, relationships with nature, bounding/bordering nature, conceptions of nature, place-making, and evolving identities. The results are presented in this dissertation in support of an argument for environmental education scholars and practitioners to attend to varying constructions of nature as a space, as well as how identity shapes experience and place-making.
Lisa Borgerding, PHD (Committee Co-Chair)
Sara Raven, PHD (Committee Co-Chair)
Tricia Niesz, PHD (Committee Member)
311 p.
Environmental Education; Science Education
human-nature relationship; connection to nature; significant life experiences; environmental education; critical geography; Appalachian Trail

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Klein, V. A. (2015). The Nature of Nature: Space, Place, and Identity on the Appalachian Trail [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1437837829

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Klein, Vanessa . The Nature of Nature: Space, Place, and Identity on the Appalachian Trail. 2015. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1437837829.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Klein, Vanessa . "The Nature of Nature: Space, Place, and Identity on the Appalachian Trail." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1437837829

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1437837829
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.