Educating Against Extremism by Lynn Davies

Educating Against Extremism by Lynn Davies

Extremism is a huge concern across the world right now, fuelled by its links to terrorism and religious fundamentalism. This book explores the relationship of education to extremism and examines how education could counter its more dangerous forms.

Formal education does little to prevent people joining extremist groups. Neither does it equip young people to analyze fundamentalism. We have seen attacks by suicide bombers who had their schooling in state systems, including in England. It is clear that more is needed than merely literacy. Global communications technologies mean that the way young people organize for either peace or terrorism lies mostly outside the school. But this does not mean that schools are without power. Lynn Davies proposes a very different educational strategy to the conventional tolerant multiculturalism that pertains in the west. The task--a challenging one--is to politicize young people without cementing uncritical acceptance of single truths.

The chapters cover: the nature of extremism and myth-making; identity and belonging; religious belief and faith schools; justice and revenge; free speech; humor and satire; and critical thinking and critical (dis)respect

In proposing an education which allows for alternatives and ambiguity, the book argues for the centrality of political education, media education and active citizenship education, as well as critical and comparative religious education, all firmly based on a universal value position around human rights. A strong civil society is one that is not afraid to critique but which has people with the skills and dispositions to engage in this without violence.

Davies, Lynn: - Lynn Davies is Emeritus Professor of International Education in the Centre for International Education and Research of the School of Education at the University of Birmingham. Her central interests are in the fields of education and conflict, education and extremism and education in fragile states. Interlocking interests are in children's rights and the impact of student voice. Current research is on mentoring those at risk of radicalization.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781858564265
ISBN 10	1858564263
Title	Educating Against Extremism
Author	Lynn Davies
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Institute of Education Press
Year published	2008-03-01
Number of pages	156
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.