Testing Heterolocalism: An Assessment of Latino Settlement Patterns in the Southeastern United States

Author

Kristian Dennis, University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Date of Award

8-2007

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Geography

Major Professor

Anita I. Drever

Committee Members

Ronald Foresta, Shih-Lung Shaw

Abstract

Previous theories of immigrant integration indicate that spatial propinquity is a necessary ingredient for a cohesive ethnic community. Wilbur Zelinsky’s heterolocalism theory suggests this is no longer the case in today’s world where technology has drastically reduced the friction of distance in human interaction. This thesis uses a mixture of quantitative and qualitative techniques to test heterolocalism’s applicability to emergent Latino communities in the Southeastern United States. The results of this research generally support Zelinsky’s theory that a growing number of ethnic communities are socially but not spatially cohesive.

Recommended Citation

Dennis, Kristian, "Testing Heterolocalism: An Assessment of Latino Settlement Patterns in the Southeastern United States. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2007.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/116