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Teaching (for) Social Justice/Organizing for Social Justice and the University

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Social Justice and the University
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Abstract

This essay examines universities and relationships to social justice, taking the University of Tennessee as an example. I spoke as part of a section at that university’s Social Justice and the University conference called “Teaching for Social Justice”; my subtopic being “Organizing for Social Justice and the University “Various speakers brought their own understanding of social justice. Layered over those views were underlying beliefs that social and economic equality can be taught. The assumption requires confidence that there is a set of common values we share to teach. I am pleased that the word “for” appears in the title “Teaching for Social Justice.” To my mind, the university does not teach social justice but it can enrich the ground from which it can grow.

The struggle for social change in America is a long one. It is not won by any single victory or destroyed by any single lost battle. We do make the road by walking.

Mike Clark (2007)

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References

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© 2014 Walter Davis

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Davis, W. (2014). Teaching (for) Social Justice/Organizing for Social Justice and the University. In: Shefner, J., Dahms, H.F., Jones, R.E., Jalata, A. (eds) Social Justice and the University. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137289384_17

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