Key Concepts in ADW Final

Key Concepts in ADW Final

• Construction of Knowledge: The social process of creating and understanding information. It's shaped by culture, geography, and community. Crucially, it examines how we know what we know and when we know it. Knowledge is not objective but socially constructed.

• Revolutionary Pedagogy: A method of education that prioritizes fostering critical consciousness and challenging existing power structures. A crucial element is problem-posing education, contrasting with the "banking" method. Paulo Freire's "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" is a foundational text, arguing that oppressive teaching methods lead to a lack of understanding, preventing students from applying concepts to the real world and limiting expression. Education fostering critical consciousness, liberation, and revolution is crucial.

• Critical Consciousness: A deep understanding of information enabling effective application in real-world contexts. This goes beyond simply processing information; it involves recognizing the perspectives and biases influencing how knowledge is constructed (e.g., "narration sickness"). Merle Collins' "Crick Crack," analyzes how historical representations shape perspectives.

• Diaspora: Dispersal of people and culture from a homeland. Often caused by violence or other forces. Diaspora involves a desire for return and a sense of connection to the homeland. Shared struggles and experiences are key characteristics. Examples include the Black Atlantic diaspora and Yoruba culture's impact on Black religions in America. It is both connection and disconnection. Intersectionality considers the various aspects of identity that shape lived experiences (gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability).

• Identity Formation & Race: The process of becoming who we are. Race is a social construct. Race is a contested, disputed social concept fundamental to American life; it constantly evolves. The social and political system places whiteness in power to keep others oppressed. Concepts like hypo-descent (anyone with Black ancestry is considered Black) are important. "Racial formation" is a key component (per Omni and Winant), showing how race is shaped by social, economic, and political factors. It determines perceptions of human nature (temperament, sexuality, etc.) and creates racial etiquette.

• Gender, Sexuality, and Identity: Gender is a social construct, interacting with biological sex, sexuality, and identity expression. There are biases and oppression based. Sexuality is about attraction/preferences (physical, romantic, emotional). Labels like heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual are crucial. Identity is about how we view ourselves and how others perceive us.

• The Indian Ocean World: A discussion on the experiences of Africans living in India (e.g., Sidis). They face discrimination despite maintaining cultural ties to Africa, demonstrating how identity is complex and multifaceted. Their religion, culture, and music demonstrate the enduring impact of African heritage.

• The Transatlantic Moment: This explores the harrowing journey of enslaved people across the Atlantic. It highlights the brutal treatment and resistance tactics (such as suicide attempts), demonstrating the lasting impact of the slave trade. The experiences of enslaved people were often marked by violence and suffering.

• Enslavement: The historical context of the transatlantic slave trade and the enslavement of peoples across the world. Crucial figures include Ida B. Wells, who critiqued the approach of Booker T. Washington, and W. E. B. Du Bois, who examined a sense of African-American identity in the post-emancipation era.

• Scientific Racism: Examines the racist ideas that were presented as scientific in the post-emancipation era. The movement to "whiten" societies in Latin America is explored, including its cultural and political implications.

Essay Prompts and Additional Notes

• Essays should be written with five paragraphs. Focus on the syllabus starting from Week 2.
• Quote directly or paraphrase source material to back up points.
• Correctly cite the title of works.
• Be sure to cite the contributor or author of the text, for example, Paulo Freire (“Pedagogy of the Oppressed”) not just Freire.
• Utilize examples from the study guide on Canvas.

Explore essential concepts in ADW focusing on the construction of knowledge, revolutionary pedagogy, and critical consciousness. This quiz emphasizes the social nature of knowledge and the importance of critical thought in education, referencing key figures like Paulo Freire. Test your understanding of these transformative educational ideas.