The Usefulness of Post-Structuralism in Educational Research and Practice

Session Submission Type: Symposium

Abstract

This interactive symposium directly addresses a topic in AERA’s 2012 Call for Submissions—the work of poststructural critiques in the promotion of educational research and the effects of that knowledge on educational practice. In contrast to the false and facile dismissal of poststructuralism as too obscure and theoretical, session participants focus on its everyday practicality. Papers illustrate how poststructural theories and methods are used to produce knowledge across a range of research methods and methodologies: historical research, post-feminist research, post-qualitative research, and Deleuzian mapping. These papers illustrate the kind of knowledge that can be produced using poststructural critiques and the effects of such knowledge of educational policy and practice to better serve the public good and improve teaching and learning.

Sub Unit

• Division D - Measurement and Research Methodologies / Section 3: Qualitative Research Methods

Chair

• Elizabeth A. St. Pierre, University of Georgia

Papers

• Everyday Post-Structuralism in Educational Research - Elizabeth A. St. Pierre, University of Georgia

• The Future is Not in Planning People, and Practical Knowledge is Not Practical - Thomas S. Popkewitz, University of Wisconsin

• Using Deleuze and Guattari’s “Mapping” To Produce Rather Than Reproduce - George A. Kamberelis, University of Wyoming

• Post Post Post: Putting Feminist Methodology to Work - Patti A. Lather, The Ohio State University

Discussant

• Janet L. Miller, Teachers College, Columbia University