Cognitive Praxis in Today's "International Education" Movement: A Case Study of Intents and Affinities

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Theory and Research in Social Education

Volume

37

Issue

1

Publisher

National Council for the Social Studies

Publication Date

2009

First Page

42

Last Page

74

Abstract

We report a qualitative case study of interpretive activity inside the current wave of the “international education” movement in U.S. schools. We used a sociological framework to examine how competing interpretations are mobilized in relation to one another and to the urgent discourses of Globalization and Terror. Data were gathered in interviews of a sample of movement intellectuals—activists positioned between powerbrokers and school practitioners. We found a diverse set of interpretations that were spread across a two-dimensional framework with four quadrants: intent (civic and enterprise) and affinity (national and global). We conclude that the cognitive praxis of this sample extends prior patterns—it is plural and contentious, and national security plays a central role. Within these tendencies, however, are features unique to the current wave. We end with implications for the social studies field.

Comments

Originally published by the National Council for the Social Studies. Publisher's PDF available through remote link via the University of Washington, College of Education. Must click on corresponding publication.

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