Pedagogies of Taking Care: Art, Pedagogy and the Gift of Otherness

This book explores the notion of care and civic values in education, which are often devalued by neoliberal economic concerns. It advocates for pedagogical practices that facilitate and support each learner's pathways through a pedagogy of taking care, which involves paying attention to each learner's unique pathway and being vigilant towards their own pedagogical frameworks. The book critiques current educational policy and advocates for possible futures of being that are not dominated by neoliberal tools of force and power.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 28 July 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book delves into the notion of care and civic values in education, which have been largely devalued in the face of neoliberal economic concerns. Through a comprehensive discussion of educators and philosophers such as Arendt, Foucault, Guattari, Patocka, Simondon, Stengers, and Whitehead, Atkinson explores the concept of the "gift of otherness" in relation to an ethico-politics of pedagogic practice and learning, including art education. He advocates for pedagogical practices that facilitate and support each learner's unique pathways through what he calls a pedagogy of taking care. This entails paying close attention, with empathy, to each learner's individual learning journey and the diverse and divergent paths they take. It also necessitates the teacher to take care, to be mindful of their own pedagogical frameworks that guide their pedagogical work, particularly when a student or child produces work that deviates from these frameworks.

Atkinson's work goes beyond mere critique, as he also presents possible futures of being that are not dominated by the neoliberal tools of force and power. Pedagogies of taking care enable us to rethink education and art education, reevaluating their meanings within research, classrooms, non-formal contexts of education, and cultural institutions. By embracing the "gift of otherness," educators can create learning environments that foster empathy, respect, and a sense of belonging, while promoting critical thinking and creativity.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable exploration of the relationship between care, civic values, and education, providing a framework for educators to reimagine their practices and create more inclusive and meaningful learning experiences for all students.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350288324