73.018 - The Politics of Wisdom and the Politics of Knowledge: The Contemplative Turn in the Curriculum

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium critically explores the theoretical and practical implications of a rapidly rising interest in the incorporation of contemplative practices (e.g., mindfulness, compassion meditation, yoga) in primary, secondary, and higher education. This novel arena in the curriculum studies field, sits at the complex intersection between contemporary political-social-economic curricular forces and wisdom traditions as origins of contemplative practices (e.g., schools of Buddhism, Greco-Roman-Christian thought, Daoism). The dialogical encounter that arises at this intersection typically reflects the knowledge/wisdom debate, where the economic-approach dictates an instrumental, information-oriented trajectory, while wisdom-traditions suggest a turn to ethics and wisdom-beyond-knowledge. This symposium creatively and critically explores the tensions, political forces, methodological problems, and the possibilities that emerge at this intersection, from diverse perspectives.

Sub Unit

• Division B - Curriculum Studies / Division B - Section 3: Challenging Methodological and Representational Boundaries

Chair

• Bernadette M. Baker, University of Wisconsin

Papers

• The Wisdom of "Basic Goodness" and Contemplative Practice: Implications for Ethics and Social/Environmental Justice Education - Heesoon Bai, Simon Fraser University; Jing Lin, University of Maryland - College Park

• Exploring Virtue and Its Connection to Knowledge and Creativity - Dr. Tom E. Culham, The University of British Columbia

• Cultivating Virtue as a Practice of Freedom - Robert James Hattam, University of South Australia; Bernadette M. Baker, University of Wisconsin

• Attention, Contemplation, and Education - Aislinn O'Donnell, Mary Immaculate College (University of Limerick)

• The Wisdom Behind Mindfulness-Based Curricular "Interventions" - Oren Ergas, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Discussant

• Daniel P. Barbezat, Amherst College