Literature Review #3

DeSantis, Alan D. Inside Greek U: Fraternities, Sororities, and the Pursuit of of Pleasure, Power, and Prestige. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. 

I have just requested to have this book delivered to the Alexander Library from another campus and I am eager to read it.  The author, Alan D. DeSantis, was in a fraternity himself and investigates many subjects regarding membership, specifically gender roles and how joining Greek life alters members' post-collegiate plans.  DeSantis did a lot of investigation that included interviews, focus groups, gathering of statistics, and recalling his own personal experiences.  

As mentioned, DeSantis is a fraternity man himself so he can share his own collegiate experiences.  He is also a professor at the University of Kentucky, so he is exposed to the modern-day fraternity habits as well.  He performed extensive research (enough to write an entire book!) and is knowledgeable about this topic. 

Since I have not received the book yet, I have not been able to browse the chapters; however, in the title, the word "prestige" stands out to me.  My own personal definition of prestige would be finding success in a career and earning a large sum of money.  Finding promotions and making a large income could also be included in achieving a prestigious lifestyle.  

“…while Greeks constitute an average of only 8.5 percent of American college students, they produce from among their ranks a staggering number of American leaders.” (7) This quote could be beneficial to my argument because it shows the existing proof that Greek alum hold leadership roles in the American society.  

“Of the over twelve hundred students I teach each year in my Introduction to Communication Theory course, a mass lecture, it is the sorority women who are always the most active and interesting participants in class” (106).  This quote could also benefit my argument because it shows the strong academic drive that sorority women possess.  Considering they all share this trait, it can be said that their organizations are the ones that influenced them to want to excel in the academic front.
I think this book will definitely help me write my paper because it gives multiple perspectives on many different topics.  Therefore, I can broaden my arguments and bring up many subjects that are relevant to my paper.  It is also reliable, so I know I will make the best argument I can because the writing is so strong.