Abstract
The field of higher education is one in which, historically, acts of progressive social change have been both initiated and supported. At the moment, many academics and student affairs professionals in colleges and universities across the United States are using their resources to help students understand social justice concepts utilizing the practice of Critical Pedagogy. While exploring power, privilege, and oppression related to human identities has resulted in overwhelming positive social change, there is a population that continues to suffer, largely without attention from scholars or other members of the academic community: animals. Some educators have asserted that the goal of Critical Pedagogy, which is to “help students develop consciousness of freedom, recognize authoritarian tendencies, and connect knowledge to power and the ability to take constructive action,” (Giroux, 2010, para. 1) is most effective when incorporating animal rights into educational curricula. This article is an exploration of animal rights issues, how animal exploitation affects humans, animals, and the environment, and how learning about animal rights can contribute positively to the goals of Critical Pedagogy. The field of higher education is one in which, historically, acts of progressive social change have been both initiated and supported. At the moment, many academics and student affairs professionals in colleges and universities across the United States are using their resources to help students understand social justice concepts utilizing the practice of Critical Pedagogy. While exploring power, privilege, and oppression related to human identities has resulted in overwhelming positive social change, there is a population that continues to suffer, largely without attention from scholars or other members of the academic community: animals. Some educators have asserted that the goal of Critical Pedagogy, which is to “help students develop consciousness of freedom, recognize authoritarian tendencies, and connect knowledge to power and the ability to take constructive action,” (Giroux, 2010, para. 1) is most effective when incorporating animal rights into educational curricula. This article is an exploration of animal rights issues, how animal exploitation affects humans, animals, and the environment, and how learning about animal rights can contribute positively to the goals of Critical Pedagogy.
Recommended Citation
Ortiz, A. (2011). Humane Liberation: Incorporating Animal Rights into Critical Pedagogy. The Vermont Connection, 32(1). https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/tvc/vol32/iss1/8