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The Power of Critical Theory is Brookfield's attempt to put the "critical" back into critical thinking by emphasizing that it is an inherently political process. The book presents powerful arguments for the importance of critical theory in fostering the kind of learning that leads to a truly democratic society, and it explores a number of tasks for adult learners including learning to challenge ideology, contest hegemony, unmask power, overcome alienation, learn liberation, reclaim reason, and practice democracy.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Preface(p. vii)
• The Author(p. xvii)
• 1 Exploring the Meaning of Critical Theory for Adult Learning(p. 1)
• 2 The Learning Tasks of Critical Theory(p. 39)
• 3 Challenging Ideology(p. 66)
• 4 Contesting Hegemony(p. 93)
• 5 Unmasking Power(p. 117)
• 6 Overcoming Alienation(p. 148)
• 7 Learning Liberation(p. 181)
• 8 Reclaiming Reason(p. 219)
• 9 Learning Democracy(p. 247)
• 10 Racializing Criticality(p. 274)
• 11 Gendering Criticality(p. 310)
• 12 Teaching Criticality(p. 349)
• References(p. 375)
• Name Index(p. 397)
• Subject Index(p. 402)

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Brookfield's earlier books discuss the practice of adult learning. Here he explores critical theory, which underlies this practice. The author presents critical theory as an approach that puts the "critical" into critical thinking. At its foundation, it is a political process by which learners discover how social and political systems are reproduced to maintain existing power relations and how people can work to change the system. Brookfield connects critical theory to the basic tasks of adult learning with a chapter on each task, wherein he analyzes the thinkers most pertinent to the particular activity. The adult learning tasks include the ability to "challenge ideology, contest hegemony, unmask power, overcome alienation, learn liberation, reclaim reason, and practice democracy." Among the applicable theorists are Marx, Gramsci, Foucault, Fromm, Marcuse, and Habermas. Brookfield (Univ. of St. Thomas) also relates perspectives of race and gender, drawing on Lucius Outlaw, Cornel West, bell hooks, and Angela Davis, among others. He cautions that these theorists are difficult to master; however, Brookfield is a talented guide, and his book can support the reader in an ongoing and rewarding exploration of their ideas. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Graduate, research, and professional collections. R. W. Rohfeld SUNY Empire State College

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Stephen D. Brookfield is distinguished professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota