Art-based Methods in Education for Social Justice

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at the issues surrounding social justice and the need for more awareness. According to the paper, art-based methods of education use creative thought and expression as a means of understanding and incorporating the lessons at hand and, therefore, art-based methods in education can have wonderfully effective results in regards to social justice issues. The paper goes on to say that there is no right or wrong when it comes to the expression of creative ideas. The paper further examines the fundamental roles of education in society as expressed by Aristotle.

From the Paper:

"When it comes to the development of effective art-based approaches for education on social justice issues, It may be helpful to incorporate three basic, yet powerful, instructional strategies. These strategies are respect for diversity, the power of reciprocal learning, and personal reflection (Smyth, 2005). These strategies are especially important in the context under discussion due to the sensitive nature of social justice issues, and the vulnerability that may possibly be felt by students involved in creative expression. Being respectful of diversity simply means acknowledging and attending to the needs of students in the classroom, and ensuring that the learning environment is safe and promotes appropriate instruction (Smyth, 2005). Practices in the classroom should reflect appropriate methods that foster the creation of a community of individuals and an awareness of differences. One of these methods is open discussion (Smyth, 2005), and this can provide a basis for learning about and absorbing social justice issues. This then sets the stage for the creative expression of the understanding of these issues."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Erskine, D. (1999). Teaching for social justice: a democracy and education reader. The Journal of Negro Education, 68(2), 236-7.
• Gibson, R. (2003). Can communities of resistance and transformation be born from the social context of school? Teacher Education Quarterly, 30(1), 41-55.
• Grayson, J. (1999). Constructing adult identities: higher education's role in constructing internal identities. Journal of College Student Development, 40, 629-44.
• King, P. (2005). A developmental model of intercultural maturity. Journal of College Student Development, 46(6), 571-92.
• McArthur, A. (2003). Art education boosts academic achievement, cuts crime & lowers taxes. Childhood Education.

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