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Lessons for higher education : the university as a site of activism
Author(s)
Date Issued
2010-09
Date Available
2010-10-04T15:47:27Z
Abstract
Len Barton is acutely aware of the power of the academy to either enhance critical thinking or to depress it. He is a true academic, never accepting the received wisdom or perspective of any given sociological standpoint, no matter how powerful or fashionable it was at the time. He has encouraged and promoted a unique blend of professional and public sociology of education that has left a profound legacy not only in the UK but beyond.
While the neo-liberal ideology had hegemonic status for most of his professional life, Len chose to engage in a counter ideological struggle; he created new intellectual spaces in the academy where people could safely dissent from the reigning intellectual orthodoxies. He operated according to the principles of Gramscian thinking by mounting a war of position, in journals, books, teaching, conferences and research, for critical intellectuals. And he encouraged other people to do likewise.
This article explores the ways in which Len’s work inspired the establishment of the Equality Studies Centre and the School of Social Justice in UCD. It outlines the lessons learned from Len Barton about higher education and its potential as a site for critical analysis and action.
Sponsorship
Not applicable
Type of Material
Journal Article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Journal
British Journal of Sociology of Education
Volume
31
Issue
5
Start Page
575
End Page
590
Copyright (Published Version)
2010 Taylor & Francis
Subject – LCSH
Education, Higher
Critical thinking
Social justice
Equality
Web versions
Language
English
Status of Item
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1465-3346 (electronic)
0142-5692 (paper)
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
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BJSE_2010_On_Len_Public_Sociology_-_post_review_version_with_corrections_-word_version.pdf
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340.84 KB
Format
Owning collection
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