“That would give us power...” Proposals for Teaching Radical Participation from a Society in Transition

Authors

  • Edda Sant Manchester Metropolitan University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/ce.v6i6.184842

Keywords:

Political Participation, Democratic Education, Citizenship Education, Social Studies, Critical Pedagogy, Social Studies Education, Civic Education

Abstract

In this article I explore how a group of Spanish students (aged 11–19) and some of their teachers understand ‘radical participation’ teaching and learning within the social studies class. I analyse, from an in-depth and critical approach using open questionnaires (n=131), interviews (n=7), and focus groups (n=4), the ways in which they interpret ‘radical participation’ and how they propose ‘radical participation’ be taught. The results suggest that ‘radical participation’ can be taught by: (a) deconstructing the concepts of power, participation, and politics; (b) empowering the students with the communication and critical thinking skills they require to participate; (c) establishing clearer links between schools and society and engaging students with current social movements.

 

Author Biography

Edda Sant, Manchester Metropolitan University

Senior Lecturer

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Published

2015-03-21

Issue

Section

Articles