"Agonistic Controversial" Issues as a Pedagogy for Global Citizenship Education

• In Event: Democratic Citizenship in Education Paper Session 2

Abstract

This paper examines the possibilities of an ‘agonistic’ engagement with controversial issues as an approach to the education of a critical global citizenship. The paper draws upon data collected in a workshop conducted in an English university involving primary, undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers and practitioners. The workshop aimed to generate an agonistic space in which ideas on global citizenship were discussed without seeking consensus. Data was collected via observations and participants’ written accounts. Our results suggest the difficulties of ‘dealing’ with conflict particularly among older participants who appeared to be more likely to fuel consensual decisions. We discuss how ‘agonistic’ controversial issues might help to challenge assumptions on neutrality and might foster re-articulations of power relations.

Authors

• Edda Sant, Manchester Metropolitan University

• Jane McDonnell, Manchester Metropolitan University

• David Menendez Alvarez-Hevia, Manchester Metropolitan University

• Karen Pashby, Manchester Metropolitan University

• Sam Sellar, University of South Australia

• Chris Hanley, Manchester Metropolitan University