Sheila Marie Bock, author of 'Claiming Space: Performing the Personal Through Decorated Mortarboards', discusses how graduates use their caps as a creative and powerful form of personal expression. The podcast explores the connection between mortarboard displays and broader conversations about higher education, citizenship, and the American Dream. It also examines how pop culture references on graduation caps challenge the formality of the ritual, express identity, and highlight barriers faced by marginalized groups. Additionally, the podcast explores the expressive potential of decorated mortarboards and their significance in the context of graduation ceremonies.
