Critical Literacy as Resistance: Problematizing Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality in Secondary Schools

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What does a critical literacy classroom look like? Is critical literacy possible in today's world of standardized tests? How do secondary teachers use literacy to help students recognize power and privilege? In this workshop, the presenters will share the ways they have used literacy as a vehicle for social justice in the high school classroom. Grounded in post-structural theory (Foucault, 2000; Giroux, 1983) and critical pedagogy (Freire), the methods will include using print and non-print texts such as literature, media, textbooks, and art in order to problematize such constructs as race, gender, class, and sexuality. The purpose is to show educators and policty makers the possiblities of teaching critical literacy with teenagers using both canonical and non-traditional texts.

Stream: Equity, Social Justice and Social Change; Community, Culture, Globalisation

Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Laraine Wallowitz, Ph.D., is a former high school English and history teacher. She currently teaches literacy and methods courses in the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education at Adelphi University. She is interested in issues of gender equity, critical literacy and social justice. Her book, Critical Literacy as Resistance: Teaching for Social Justice across the Secondary Curriculum, is due out in October.