What is "Possibilities"?
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.
