This is the material from the Possibilities web page which was formerly hosted at the University of Texas site,  http://wwwvms.utexas.edu/~possible/possibil.html.  That particular server was shut down as of July 2003.  The work on the web page, Possibilities, was done primarily during 1995-2000, and is not up-to-date.  However, it continues to hold valuable information, and it will continue to evolve.  Thank you for your patience, and enjoy what is here.

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What is "Possibilities"?

Philosophical Foundations

Contributors to Possibilities:

Douglas Kellner  UCLA

Peter McLaren  UCLA

Henry Giroux    Penn State

Carlos Torres  UCLA

Kris Guiterrez  UCLA

 

 

 Possibilities is the evolving electronic dissertation of Anne Shaw, while a doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin.  The focus of the dissertation, still incomplete, is critical pedagogy and critical media literacy.  As research continues, Anne has been fortunate to have the contributions of several individuals who are leaders on the cutting edge of critical theory and media studies. 

This web site was created through the collaboration of individuals from several major research universities in the United States.  These educators seek, individually and collectively, to analyze society, particularly in the relationship between schooling and society,  in the spirit of critical theory which was developed by members of the Frankfurt School in Germany. The Philosophical Foundations section of this web site provides information regarding the philosophical and socio-historic roots of critical theory and critical pedagogy.

Critical Pedagogy has grown out of the critical theory of the early Frankfurt School and has evolved through the influences of the emancipatory work of Paulo Freire, the influences of the Postmodern theories, and has expanded from a focus mainly on "class" issues to a broader theory encompassing such issues as race, gender, ability, age, sexual preferences, religion, ethnicity and language.

Critical Pedagogy is concerned with the elimination of oppression, the resurgence of hope and possibility - in short, with the making of a better world in which to live.   A better world for all.   

Entering the 21st century, Critical Pedagogy has turned to address the impact of globalization, mass media, multiple literacies, particularly Media Literacy, as these developments change our world before our very eyes.    Critical pedagogues analyze the effects of the changes on individuals and various groups while simultaneously seeking areas for opposition and opportunities for change.  Their goal is the achievement of a democratic society in which all individuals have a voice - a just world free from oppression and suffering.


Our Mission

Paulo Freire, a world-renowned educator, speaks of 'possibilities' which we all must seek out and strive toward. Freire and many others within the field of Critical Theory have always called to us to see what is, to see what could be - the possibilities, and to strive to create a way of life which is free, democratic and just.

The mission of Possibilities is to serve as an agent in the transformation of society through the development and implementation of transformational education. Possibilities seeks to contribute to the development of a more robust democracy by empowering students and citizens to become active creators in the tasks of enhancing their lives and creating a better culture and society through the elimination of social inequalities based on race, class and gender. (Kellner)

Goals for Possibilities include:

  • Promote collaboration and consensus among diverse groups
  • Research and development of new knowledge within the field of critical pedagogy
  • Sensitizing students and publics to the inequities and injustices of a society based on race, gender, and class inequities and discrimination
  • Virtual Intercultural Curriculum and Instruction Project
  • Develop and promote multicultural media and computer literacy
  • Development of curriculum theories and practices which include training in philosophy, ethics, value thinking, and the humanities
  • Transformation of teacher education
  • Create and promote increased access to professional development opportunities for transformational educators
  • Gather and disseminate information
  • Provide up-to-date information on other resources

 

Acknowledgements

Possibilities, the Critical Pedagogy Web Site, is the doctoral dissertation of Anne Shaw of the University of Texas at Austin. This dissertation is chaired by Dr. Douglas Kellner, Department of Graduate Information and Educational Studies  at UCLA.

I wish to thank Douglas Kellner,  University of California at Los Angeles [and formerly at the Department of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin],  Peter McLaren, University of California at Los Angeles, and Henry Giroux, Penn State University for their valuable contributions to this project - both in their advice and assistance, and in the contributions of articles which they have authored.