Utilizing a sociological, public health perspective that incorporates theories of masculinity and models of student development, this dissertation is a case study of the organization Men Against Violence. It examines the ways in which a close-knit association of men generated and sustained an organizational culture that encourages and rewards non- violence among its members, as well as begins to reframe traditional conceptions of masculinity. Subjects for this study consisted of the eight male students who comprised the 1997-1998 Executive Board of MAV. Primary research questions were:
(1) What are the characteristics of an organizational culture of non-violence that is created and maintained among a close-knit group of male college students?
(2) How can higher education professionals, particularly women, facilitate the process of creating such an organizational culture?
Chapter 1 addresses methodological concerns in the dissertation; Chapters 2 and 3 review current literature regarding men and campus violence; Chapter 4 provides a historical narrative of the founding and development of MAV; Chapter 5 presents cultural themes which emerged during content analysis of data from ethnographic interviews and participant- observation; and Chapter 6 offers theoretical and practical implications of the study.