What role does documentary photography play in exploring the interaction between migrant and American society?

Abstract

This dissertation explores the roles played by documentary photography in migrant and American society. Using Mary Louise Pratt's contact zone theory, it views photography as a “transcultural medium” in looking into the migrant’s interaction with society. Using photography works by Lewis Hine, Dorothea Lange, Katie Salisbury, and Brian Cohen as case studies, this dissertation answers the research question from representation, document, cultural identities and diasporic perspectives