Societal Sabotage of the Psyche: A Poetic Exploration of Education, Childhood, and Culture Through Self-Study

• In Event: 66.080 - Roundtable Session 26
  In Roundtable Session: 66.080-14 - Democracy and Critical Theory

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study is to provide insight into educational and identity-formation processes through poetry. Each self-authored poem serves as a vehicle through which childhood is re-examined and views of popular culture are parsed to understand one's relationship with self as well as society. The theoretical constructs utilized are: notions of popular culture, childhood, and identity. The memory work approach of self-study methodology is employed to determine how educational encounters help to shape one's identity. Data sources include journal entries and poems, which aid in the process of recollection. Memory work can serve as a tool/resource for better comprehending notions of culture, education, etc. while helping to deconstruct intricacies of self-hood within both public and private spaces.

Author

• Regina Carter, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign