Uncivil Discourse: Culture Wars and the Battle for Emancipatory Education

• In Event: The Politics of Curriculum: Sociocultural Contexts for Teaching and Learning

Abstract

It is imperative for educational researchers to disrupt the regressive moment influencing curricula in North America. Evidence documented by mass media demonstrates inclusive curricula is under attack in the fight against socio-cultural change. This paper explores the consequences of authoritarian populism on the repression of emancipatory education and the continuance of inclusive, sustainable societies. A Gramscian analysis is utilized to explore political polarization and its correlation with regressive educational reform. Silencing diverse voices and issues of equity in curricula leads to the erosion of democratic society. This paper compels educational researchers to act. It sets the stage for the author’s future doctoral research exploring sociopolitical positionings of curricula related to civil and human rights in North American mass media.

Author

• Lorry-Ann Austin, Thompson Rivers University
  Presenting Author