Critical Legal Education as a Subversive Activity

The idea that teaching could or should be subversive still holds true today, particularly in the context of legal education. This volume discusses the consideration of research into legal education as lifetime learning, creating meaning, transformative, and developing world-changing thinking within the legal context. It is primarily aimed at legal educators and doctoral students in law planning careers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In a time when the aspiration of educators is to impart critical thinking skills in the classroom, what does it entail to be a subversive law teacher? Whom or what might a subversive law teacher seek to subvert? The authority of the law, the university, their own authority as teachers, or perhaps something else? Are law students receptive to subversion, agents of it, or impediments to it? Do they acquire the ability to ask critical questions?

Responding to the provocation in the classic book Teaching as a Subversive Activity, by Postman and Weingartner, the idea that teaching could, or even should, be subversive remains valid today, and its premise is particularly pertinent in the context of legal education. Therefore, we draw on this classic book to discuss, in the present volume, the consideration of research into legal education as lifetime learning, as creating meaning, as transformative, and as developing world-changing thinking within the legal context. The volume offers research into classroom experiences and theoretical and historical interrogations of what it means to teach law subversively. Primarily aimed at legal educators and doctoral students in law planning careers as academics, its insights directly address tensions in higher education more broadly.

Teaching as a Subversive Activity, by Postman and Weingartner, challenges the conventional notion that education is solely about imparting knowledge and skills. Instead, they argue that teaching can be a powerful tool for social change and transformation. The book emphasizes the importance of questioning the status quo, challenging dominant ideologies, and promoting alternative perspectives.

In the context of legal education, teaching as a subversive activity can take many forms. It can involve challenging the traditional curriculum, questioning the authority of the law, and promoting alternative legal theories and practices. Subversive law teachers may also use innovative teaching methods, such as case studies, simulations, and collaborative learning, to engage students and encourage critical thinking.

One of the key challenges of teaching as a subversive activity is navigating the boundaries between academic freedom and institutional constraints. Subversive law teachers may face resistance from colleagues, administrators, and even students who oppose their views. However, it is important for subversive law teachers to remain committed to their principles and to continue pushing for change.

Another challenge is ensuring that students are prepared for the real world of law practice. While subversive law teachers may prioritize critical thinking and social justice, they may also need to provide students with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the legal profession. This can involve incorporating practical exercises, such as mock trials and legal writing, into the curriculum.

Despite these challenges, teaching as a subversive activity can be highly rewarding. Subversive law teachers can help students develop a critical understanding of the law and its role in society, and they can inspire students to become agents of change in their communities. By promoting alternative perspectives and challenging dominant ideologies, subversive law teachers can help to create a more just and equitable legal system.

In conclusion, teaching as a subversive activity is a powerful tool for social change and transformation. In the context of legal education, it can involve challenging the traditional curriculum, questioning the authority of the law, and promoting alternative legal theories and practices. Subversive law teachers may face resistance from colleagues, administrators, and even students, but it is important for them to remain committed to their principles and to continue pushing for change. By promoting alternative perspectives and challenging dominant ideologies, subversive law teachers can help to create a more just and equitable legal system.

Weight: 620g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032006970