Essentialism

seeks to convince humankind that all people are equal and equally indebted to the earth. In the introduction to her book, Beyond Mothering Earth, ecofeminist researcher and political scientist Sherylin MacGregor writes, [a]ware that charges of essentialism have long undermined ecofeminism, these theorists emphasize that the link they make is a socio-material and experiential one: women’s mothering and caregiving work mediates the relationship between people and nature and thereby engenders a…

explores the interpretation of cultural practices made by participants of another race. She captures a wide range of participant views by interviewing non-African-American women on how ‘cross-cultural’ practices of hip-hop “promote tolerance or essentialism in everyday life, and whether they enable appropriation in the field of cultural production” (Ghandnoosh, 2010). The article…

Five educational philosophies developed as way people believe students should learn and grow in a classroom. The five educational philosophies are essentialism, perennialism, progressivism, social reconstructionism, and existentialism. All five differ from the focus of study and teacher’s role. Essentialism believes the purpose of education is to teach key elements of core concepts so that all students have access to basic (“essential”) knowledge. Perennialism believes that…

about sexual orientation: Heterosexuals, like typewriters and urinals (which are deemed obviously for gentlemen), were inventions of the 1860s. Contrary to their cultural presumptions and the lies of what soon came to be referred to as “orientation essentialism,” “straight” and “gay” are not entirely absolute labels. Sexual orientation is a conceptual scheme with a dim-lighted history. It is a history that had begun far more recently than most people had noted, and is one that will likely end…

The Fluidity of Social Construction Social construction is an approach that is viewed as theoretical and can be applied to many different types of social differences. (Klement L3). This theoretical approach is a theory that is used to better understand things like gender and sexuality, and how our society has formulated opinions, stereotypes, and inequalities that exist in our world. A major focus of social constructionism is to uncover the ways in which individuals and groups participate in the…

Feminist Epistemology: The Form that will Break the Matrix of Domination Knowledge is the source for meaningful change and is paramount in liberating oppressed groups. I will use Patricia Collins’ theory that knowledge produces change that will not fall into the matrix of domination and illustrations from her writing to support this idea (251). The current validation process of knowledge is oppressive: Eurocentric epistemology. Collins highlights it’s oppressive effects on Black women in…

All people are equal, but some are more equal than others. In today’s society, men are the ones deemed more equal than others. This division, this unequal treatment permeates all sectors of society. It is not a problem isolated to one country but rather one that every nation maintains. Emma Watson tackles the issue head on in her speech as goodwill ambassador to the UN. She seeks to instill, into the inclusive, feminist public that she constitutes, a will to education as she proposes the idea of…

“Bayaan Karo”: Tell me a story Kaun Hai Bayaan? (Who is Bayaan?) “Bayaan” is a local-impact initiative located in the state of Maharashtra in India, that is dedicated to enabling communities to reclaim their agency for narration by reimagining their positionality as subjects of narratives, to consumers of narratives. Kyun Bayaan Karein? (Why should we narrate?) This project is centered around highlighting the privilege of consumption. Consumption is a consumer-driven and producer…

Teaching, in my view, is one of the greatest career choices; I choose to be a teacher because I find myself there. Since I was in grade 4, I admire teaching English more than anything. I always imagine that I am going to be a great teacher and all my students will love English and learning. My mother also is one of the reasons since when I was in grade 8 I heard her always repeating that she wished if there is a teacher in our family. In addition , want to be a teacher because I think my country…

more of what my teaching philosophy may fall under. Based on these teaching philosophies, I’ve realized my teaching philosophy will incorporate nearly all of them. However, I would incorporate some more than others. Like essentialism, for example. According Parkway, essentialism is described as “common knowledge”. Essentialists believe that this common knowledge should be passed through generations and it is an important part of the learning curriculum. I agree with this philosophy because I…