Considering (auto)biography in teaching and learning about race and racism in a diverse university |
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| Authors: | Demelza Jones |
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| Institution: | School of Languages and Social Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK |
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| Abstract: | The ‘sociological imagination’ – the recognition of the relationship between ‘private troubles’ and ‘public issues’ (Mills 1959] 2000 Mills, C. Wright. 1959] 2000. The Sociological Imagination. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Crossref] , Google Scholar]. The Sociological Imagination. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 8) – is central to the discipline of sociology. This article reports findings of a 2014 study which investigated students’ views on whether the development of the sociological imagination could be more explicitly embedded in a module on Race and Racisms through an (auto)biographical approach from teachers and the module’s racially diverse students. After reviewing benefits and challenges to an (auto)biographical approach, the article presents findings from a student focus group, concluding that students would welcome (auto)biographical approaches to the topic of race and racism, with the caveat that this is handled sensitively with steps taken to minimise the risk of emotional harm. |
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| Keywords: | Autobiography biography race sensitive issues |
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