Learning Through the Dark Times: John Dewey, Hannah Arendt, and the American Community College

• In Event: 25.068 - Educational Goods and Public Policy

Abstract

This paper presents a philosophical argument to support the creation or defense of public space at American community colleges in order to facilitate the growth of a democratic perspective among faculty, staff, and students. The argument uses the work of two philosophers, John Dewey and Hannah Arendt, and more specifically, their description and explanation of democracy and the public (Dewey) and totalitarianism and public space (Arendt). The paper concludes that there is a need for such public spaces and the history community colleges reveals that the institution was initially regarded as one responsible for strengthening the American democracy.

Author

• Clifford P. Harbour, University of North Texas