What Can Critical Pedagogy Contribute to Diverse Democracies? Bringing the "Critical" to Social Studies

• In Event: Roundtable Session 45
  In Roundtable Session: Contested Curricula: Race, Democracy, and the Limits of Conscientization

Abstract

Critical pedagogues are among the frontrunners calling for a more effective role for public education in promoting social justice and democracy. However, they have often been criticized for not providing alternative models to the deficiencies they highlight in the education system. With that criticism in mind, this paper seeks to verify whether critical pedagogues have failed to provide an alternative vision or at least some elements that could inform such a vision. Through a literature review of the work of some of the leading critical pedagogues, I discuss some of the elements that could inform the construction of that alternative vision. I illustrate that through a focus on critical pedagogues’ discussion of social studies curriculum development and teacher preparation programs.

Author

• Ehaab Dyaa Abdou, McGill University