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Feminist Curriculum Theory - Coggle Diagram
Feminist Curriculum Theory
Central Focus
Definition
: A curriculum theory that critiques patriarchal structures and aims to create
relational, ethical, and inclusive learning spaces
Goal
: Foster equitable education that values marginalized voices, especially women's experiences
Focus
: Emphasizes emotional growth, care, and ethical connections over standardized approaches
Philosophical Underpinnings
Psychoanalytic Theory
Explores how language, relationships, and representation shape identity, particularly for women
Highlights the influence of unconscious biases and societal expectations on learning
Critical Theory
Critiques systemic inequalities and power structures embedded in education
Emphasizes activism, resistance, and
transformative educational practices
Existentialism
Encourages students to narrate their personal stories, fostering
critical self-reflection
and autonomy
Highlights
individual agency, identity, and self-expression
Aligns with feminist aims by helping students question societal norms and dominant narratives
Key Theorists
Madeleine Grumet
Challenges the feminization of teaching and the maternal expectations imposed on women in education
Advocates for curriculum as a tool for
societal transformation
and personal identity exploration
Combines
Marxist and psychoanalytic approaches
to critique patriarchal structures
Jo Ann Pagano
Views teaching as a
political and feminist act
, fostering self-expression and countering exclusion.
Explores how
language and power dynamics
affect identity and representation
Centers on representing female stories and voices in education
Nel Noddings
Advocates for education that nurtures
happiness, emotional well-being
, and ethical growth, alongside intellectual development
Care Ethics
: Relationality, empathy, and moral responsibility are central to education
Critiques
: Risks idealism and reinforces traditional gender roles if not critically applied
Key Tenets
Inclusion of Marginalized Voices
: Curriculum should validate personal stories, especially those from marginalized groups, including women
Challenging Patriarchal Norms
: Education must resist traditional structures that perpetuate inequality and gendered assumptions
Relational Ethics
: Education is inherently relational and prioritizes care, empathy, and the development of meaningful connections
Emotional and Ethical Growth
: Beyond intellectual development, education must nurture students' emotional and moral dimensions
Role of the Student
Students are empowered to
express their stories, challenge societal norms
, and explore identity
Viewed as active participants in creating knowledge, not passive recipients
Role of the Teacher
Challenger of Patriarchal Structures
Teachers critique and challenge traditional power dynamics in education
They bridge the maternal (private) and public spheres, pushing back against restrictive gendered expectations
Narrator & Guide of Self-Representation
Teachers foster spaces for
personal storytelling
and critical reflection
They guide students in questioning dominant narratives while remaining co-learners in the educational process
Facilitator of Care and Relational Ethics
They are reflexive practitioners, aware of how their values shape teaching practices
Teachers prioritize students’
well-being and ethical growth
, fostering empathetic connections
Criticisms of the Approach
Resistance in Traditional Education
: Challenging to integrate into standardized, test-focused systems
Theoretical Complexity
: Psychoanalytic and existential frameworks can be difficult to translate into practice
Reinforcing Gender Stereotypes
: Risks essentializing care as a female attribute if not critically applied