First Advisor

Lawrence Wheeler

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication Studies and University Honors

Department

Communication

Subjects

Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve-step programs

DOI

10.15760/honors.174

Abstract

While previous research on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous has covered a wide range of topics, there is a gap which exists in the lack of examination of the 12-step program through the lens of the underlying mechanisms of power. The concepts which most clearly reflect these mechanisms of power are explicated by Michel Foucault and his work. This gap can be best summed up as a lack of comprehensive and exhaustive, textual analysis of multiple texts provided by AA to members of their fellowship. This thesis uses Foucauldian discourse analysis in an exhaustive manner, to examine pieces of AA text in their entirety, to draw connection between the concepts which Foucault sees as communicating power and the language which Alcoholics Anonymous uses to help their members recover.

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Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/15552

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