Critical Pedagogy Primer

by Joe L. Kincheloe

The Critical Pedagogy Primer provides a short, smart, and innovative introduction to this topic. Focusing on the traditions that helped create critical pedagogy, this primer concentrates on what the author calls an 'evolving criticality'. This refers both to the constantly changing and evolving nature of critical pedagogy, and to the need to keep the field on the cutting edge of scholarly innovation. These concerns are presented in a language that is designed for both uninitiated and sophisticated readers. The Critical Pedagogy Primer includes a glossary and a description of leading figures in the field of critical pedagogy. Anyone learning about critical pedagogy must read this book - it should be an assigned text at every school of education.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

156 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Joe Lyons Kincheloe (December 14, 1950 – December 19, 2008) was a professor and Canada Research Chair at the Faculty of Education, McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and founder of The Paulo and Nita Freire International Project for Critical Pedagogy. He wrote more than 45 books, numerous book chapters, and hundreds of journal articles on issues including critical pedagogy, educational research, urban studies, cognition, curriculum, and cultural studies.

Reviews

[Drick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most helpful book on teaching I have read in the last year. For several years I have sought to put the pedagogical principles of Paulo Freire into practice in my teaching, not knowing that what I was attempting to do is called "critical pedagogy." Along with bell hooks and Ira Shor, also critical educators, Freire has been my guiding light when it came to pedagogy. To put it over-simply critical pedagogy is to classroom teaching what popular education is to community education. In any case I had to stop reading the book Critical Pedagogy: Where are we now? and pick up this slim book to get a sense of what CP is. Kincheloe does a great job of outlining the principles and essential thinkers in the CP movement; I realized I not only had read many of the principal thinkers, but was doing CP without having a name. I especially appreciated the chapter "Critical Pedagogy and Cognition" which shows how our understanding of what is knowledge and truth is shaped not only by our experiences, but also by our culture and socio-political environment in which we live and learn. This is a book I will go back to often and mine for years to come. CP by nature is somewhat abstract because the thinkers are seeking to outline principles that need to be actualized uniquely in different concrete teaching situations. However, some critical theorists seem to be purposely obtuse in their language, giving rise to one major criticism of CP, which is that it is elitist. Kincheloe explains the concepts and terms in ways that are accessible. Altogether a great book.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Offers a good overview of critical pedagogy, though not quite as powerful as the ideas presented in Pedagogy of the Oppressed. While I appreciate Kincheloe's passion and energy, I can't help but get lost sometimes in his ego and voice. Sometimes it feels as though these writers get caught up in name dropping and self promotion, more than they do the actual cause of social justice. Once again, maybe that is why I liked the Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (A similar feeling I get from McLaren.) Freire worked with the people. He did not offer them as a study or the means of advancing his ideas. Still, Kincheloe is a good writer, he is fun and entertaining and he speaks with conviction.

[Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

I keep trying out introductions to Paulo Freire's Critical Pedagogy, but this didn't do it for me. It flew too high and abstract most of the time, largely just repeating the basic points over and over. I'll keep looking because I'm convinced something interesting is going on in Freire.

[Steven Kolber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging ideas and a clear summary of the field as a useful primer.

[Anna Berceau · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book has a lot of important and interesting information, I had a very difficult time engaging with it.

The language is unnecessarily dense and inaccessible, especially if the book is meant to be an introduction or overview.

Overall I would say this is a good resource but I would not recommend it as a primer.