Feminist Pedagogy in Higher Education: Critical Theory and Practice

by Tracy Penny Light

In this new collection, contributors from a variety of disciplines provide a critical context for the relationship between feminist pedagogy and academic feminism by exploring the complex ways that critical perspectives can be brought into the classroom. This book discusses the processes employed to engage learners by challenging them to ask tough questions and craft complex answers, wrestle with timely problems and posit innovative solutions, and grapple with ethical dilemmas for which they seek just resolutions. Diverse experiences, interests, and perspectives—together with the various teaching and learning styles that participants bring to twenty-first-century universities—necessitate inventive and evolving pedagogical approaches, and these are explored from a critical perspective. The contributors collectively consider the implications of the theory/practice divide, which remains central within academic feminism’s role as both a site of social and gender justice and as a part of the academy, and map out some of the ways in which academic feminism is located within the academy today.

Audible Audio

First published August 12, 2015

Reviews

[Laurel Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those teaching texts that I hope all teachers read, do not be swayed otherwise by the F word in the title. This book digs deeply into how to teach students to be better citizens of the world, and I would argue better human beings, which is beyond important in our current world. It addresses through various, international, essays that discuss how to approach sensitive material that should not remain silent. A new book, that is a must read for teachers who wish to teach their students the hard stuff, that want to help students develop self advocacy, and allies for those without a voice.

[Britni Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, probably not a book I would have picked up on my own based on the mildly-tacky cover art. But, since I had to read it for a class, it actually proved quite thought provoking. Some of the essays were stronger than others, which is to be expected in essay collections like this, but many offered solid insight to be considered when teaching. I obviously didn't agree with all the points that were made in the essays, but the book definitely provided a variety of feminist perspectives to consider in higher education classrooms, particularly in the humanities.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for my research.