VISSERLIGEN SÅ KAN MAN INTE OPERERA EN SÅGVERKSMASKIN, MEN MAN KAN JU LIKSOM GÖRA NÅGOT FÖR DEMOKRATIN. En diskursanalytisk studie om folkhögskolans roll i det nyliberala samhället

Abstract

In this bachelor's thesis, we investigate the Swedish folk high school´s role in neoliberal society, which is analyzed through the lens of Norman Fairclough's critical discourse theory as well as Erving Goffman's theory of social deviants. The focus of our study has been participants in creative education, such as art, theater and creative writing. Our findings include that participants at folk high schools find great value in their education, both creatively and personally. They note that they have experienced a large amount of personal growth, regarding both openness towards others and higher confidence and their own abilities and identity. We have also found that the neoliberal discourse is in opposition to those of the folk high school, however the participants are influenced by the order of discourse, in regards to how they view their education and future careers.