Neoliberal subjectivity and discourses in an elementary social studies methods course: A case study
Open Access
- Author:
- Gates, Jacob
- Graduate Program:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- May 03, 2021
- Committee Members:
- Stephanie Schroeder, Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Tanner Vea, Outside Unit & Field Member
Sarah Shear, Special Member
Gail Boldt, Major Field Member
Samuel Tanner, Major Field Member
Kimberly Anne Powell, Program Head/Chair - Keywords:
- teacher education
neoliberalism
social studies
preservice teachers
neoliberal subjectivity - Abstract:
- Neoliberalism has been described by many as the greatest threat to global democracy. Few studies have attempted to locate the influences of neoliberalism at the interpersonal level on individual educators involved in university-based teacher education. Given this absence, I undertook an exploratory qualitative case study within one university-based elementary social studies teacher education course seeking to interrogate the presence of neoliberalism. More specifically, I utilized Foucauldian theories of subjectivity and discourses to gain a better understanding of what neoliberal subjectivity looks like in an elementary teacher education program. The data conversations that were produced from this work illuminated the presence of three primary neoliberal discourses: 1) market outcomes, 2) physical extremes and 3) fleeting time. These discourses worked to produce a form of neoliberal teacher as subject that is constantly concerned about increasing the value of their human capital, anxious, exhausted, and pressed for time. This study shines light on the tensions of utilizing humanizing pedagogy while still working within neoliberal logics of teaching and learning. For teacher educators and preservice teachers, the work herein may aid in the consideration of the presence of neoliberal discourses in their own conceptions of teaching and learning and reconsider taken for granted neoliberal education norms. Moreover, this study holds implications for social studies educators concerned with teaching towards a more democratic citizenry of subjects.