Critical Theories in Education

3 credits · Peabody College - Professional

Critical Theories of Education introduces students to a range of theoretical traditions that interrogate power, knowledge, and inequality as they relate to education. The course explores how different forms of criticality—such as critical race theory, feminist theory, postcolonial theory, critical pedagogy, and critical disability studies—emerged historically and continue to inform educational practice, research, and policy.Ultimately, the course situates critical theories of education as tools for questioning taken-for-granted assumptions, developing deeper analysis of systemic inequities, and engaging in transformative educational work. Participants will gain an introductory grounding in multiple strands of critical thought and practice, building a toolkit for applying critical frameworks in diverse educational spaces. [3]