Americas Perspectives on Paulo Freire and his Work

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

The session includes three papers on Paulo Freire which discuss the influence of his political approach in educational activities and also the importance of his life as a philosophical problem. All three papers start from a revision of Freire’s concepts in his books and “talking books,” that is, interviews aiming at an analysis of the main concepts used by him. A proposal of Radical Deaf Studies is formulated based on concepts central to his work, such as “conscientização” (awareness). The “Movimento de Alfabetização de Jovens e Adultos (MOVA),” a work on “Adut Illiteracy” inspired by Paulo Freire, is examined from the perspective of document analysis. Paulo Freire’s life is also examined from the point of view of, in the words of Michel Foucault “the history of a philosophical life as a philosophical problem but also and at the same as a manifestation of ethics and heroism (Le Courage de la vérité, Paris: Gallimard, 2009, p.196).” The symposium will focus on original interpretations of Paulo Freire, innovative interpretations of his work applied to diversity, such as the case of deaf studies, as well as a historical analysis of the proposals to eradicate illiteracy.

Sub Unit

• Americas Education Research Network

Chair

• Maria Ines G.F. Marcondes De Souza, Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro

Papers

• Paulo Freire's Concept of Conscientização and Radical Deaf Studies: Expanding the Reach of Freirean Critical Pedagogy - Ana Cruz, St. Louis Community College at Meramec

• Paulo Freire’s Thinking in Movement: Current Topics on Young and Adult Literacy Policies - Sandra Sales, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro

• Paulo Freire: A Philosophical Life as a Philosophical Problem - Walter Kohan, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro and University of British Columbia

Discussant

• Gustavo E. Fischman, Arizona State University