Exploring the Nonrational Through Ritual Critique

• In Event: 70.066 - Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: 70.066-1 - Theoretical Considerations for Qualitative Research Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nonrational aspects of education through a qualitative methodology coined “ritual critique” by Quantz (2011). While most educators tend to focus on the rational practices, it is argued that the real work of educators occurs in the nonrational areas that we rarely think about or plan. Rituals work either to maintain the status quo by reinforcing the power of the elite or to promote transformation. An example of a ritual critique will be shared that exposes the rituals used by higher education administrators to privilege certain forms of knowledge, research, and scholarship.

Author

• Lauren P. Hoffman, Lewis University