This book examines critical theories in education research from various points of view in order to critique the relations of power and knowledge in education and schooling practices. It addresses social injustices in the field of education, while at the same time questioning traditional standards of critical theory. Drawing on recent social and literary criticism, this collection identifies conversations across disciplines that address the theoretical and methodological challenges in educational debate. "Critical Theories in Education" offers a rethinking of Marxist theories of education, joining issues of teaching and pedagogy with issues of the state and economy, social movements, literary criticism, pragmatism and postcolonialism.

Series Information:
Social Theory, Education and Cultural Change

Michel Foucault's influential work spanned a wide array of intellectual disciplines, his writings having been widely taken up in philosophy, history, literary criticism and political theory. Focusing on the implications of Foucault's theories for education, whilst characterizing them as provocative, problematizing, poetic and playful, Lynn Fendler describes the historical context for understanding Foucault's ground breaking critiques. Including a discussion of his major theories of disciplinary power, genealogy, discourse and subjectivity, this text provides generative explanations of concepts, using analogies to the Internet and to food, in order to connect Foucault's theories to everyday experience.