Simmons, Robin (2016) The liberal studies movement revisited: a keynote address. In: Research in Post Compulsory Education 2nd International Conference, 8th-10th July 2016, Harris Manchester College, Oxford, UK. (Unpublished)
Abstract

This paper revisits the liberal studies movement, a significant feature of the English further education (FE) sector from the 1950s until perhaps the beginning of the 1980s. Its central argument is that liberal and general studies (LS/GS) and similar provision offered a vehicle where, at least in some circumstances, certain politically-motivated FE teachers were able to engage in forms of mutual, dialogic teaching and learning which can be conceptualised as critical pedagogy – or at least as close to critical pedagogy as can be achieved within the formal education system in a nation such as England.
The paper draws on interviews with former FE lecturers who taught various forms of liberal studies to vocational students in FE colleges across England during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Whilst it is recognised that LS/GS was always contested terrain, data presented in this paper provides evidence to suggest that the spirit of critical pedagogy existed amongst a certain strand within liberal studies movement, at least for a time – even if not all learners wished to be emancipated by their studies.

Information
Library
Documents
[img]
RPCE Keynote.ppt
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (2MB)
[img]
Preview
RPCE Keynote.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (1MB) | Preview
Statistics

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email