Integrating Brazilian Cordel Literature in the Canadian Childhood Classroom

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Curricular Inquiries in Precarious Times: Student Agency, Transformations, and Place

Abstract

This paper explores literature de Cordel, a Brazilian folk poetry tradition, as a non-canonical resource for philosophical inquiry in a Canadian classroom. Situated against the backdrop of Canada's 'back-to-basics' approach to learning, which prioritizes standardized literacy over philosophical inquiry, I propose a non-canonical philosophy (NCP) approach that promotes non-Western literary traditions and fosters critical thinking, creativity, and emotional awareness in learners. Drawing on the features of Cordel, I suggest that it offers a valuable tool for inquiry. Through an analysis of Cordel's historical/cultural significance, I suggest how these texts provoke philosophical reflection on topics like time and identity. This paper invites educators to consider how non-canonical texts can enhance curricular/pedagogical practices, offering a pathway to inclusive and affectively engaged learning environments.

Author

• Nikki Rotas, Western University