A Move ForwardTechnical Science ApproachCritical Theory & Critical ScienceCritical Science ApproachSlide 5Language of CritiqueLanguage of Possibility and PotentialLanguage of ActionCritical Science (Practical Problems) Initiative in FCSResearchASCD Curriculum Handbook– Family and Consumer Sciences Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. (1998). Family and consumer sciences: A chapter of the curriculum handbook. Alexandria, VA: Author.Teacher Education Yearbook Fedje, C.G., & Johnson, J. (Eds.). (1999). Family and consumer science curriculum: Toward a critical science approach. Peoria, IL: Glencoe/McGraw Hill.The FutureReferencesA Move ForwardA Move ForwardFrom Technical to Critical Science…From Technical to Critical Science…a Rich History and Promising Futurea Rich History and Promising FutureTechnical Science Technical Science ApproachApproachFocus (Plihal, Laird, & Rehm, 1999)Focus (Plihal, Laird, & Rehm, 1999)How to How to questions of curriculum, individual and family problemsquestions of curriculum, individual and family problemsSeeks to objectify and reduce human problems into Seeks to objectify and reduce human problems into manageable sectionsmanageable sectionsFind most efficient means of developing the technical skills to Find most efficient means of developing the technical skills to solve problems solve problems Teacher-centered classroomTeacher-centered classroomStudents listen to lectures, memorize facts, master skills, take Students listen to lectures, memorize facts, master skills, take teststestsApproach involves teaching students expert ways to do Approach involves teaching students expert ways to do household tasks instead of addressing questions of meaning household tasks instead of addressing questions of meaning and valueand valueValidity of knowledge only exists when proven by Validity of knowledge only exists when proven by scientific researchscientific researchUsing objective definitions, observation, and measurementUsing objective definitions, observation, and measurementRejects validity of ALL approaches that cannot be reduced to Rejects validity of ALL approaches that cannot be reduced to technical scientific model, standards, and system of beliefstechnical scientific model, standards, and system of beliefsCritical Theory & Critical ScienceCritical Theory & Critical ScienceCritical TheoryCritical TheoryEnd result/ outcome of a process used to identify End result/ outcome of a process used to identify inconsistenciesinconsistenciesOutcome—Outcome—Improvement of human life (Gentzler, Improvement of human life (Gentzler, 1999)1999)Critical ScienceCritical ScienceProcess, course of action taken by individuals, Process, course of action taken by individuals, groups while examining present social structures groups while examining present social structures (Carr & Kemmis, 1986)(Carr & Kemmis, 1986)A means to an endA means to an endWhat knowledge is of most worth? Why? What What knowledge is of most worth? Why? What ought to be?ought to be?Seeks to prepare individuals, families to examine Seeks to prepare individuals, families to examine personal and social problems; take reasoned and personal and social problems; take reasoned and justifiable action justifiable action (Plihal, Laird, & Rehm, 1999)(Plihal, Laird, & Rehm, 1999)Critical Science ApproachCritical Science ApproachStrengthStrengthApproach recognizes need for integration of multiple Approach recognizes need for integration of multiple types of knowledge in order to best serve individuals types of knowledge in order to best serve individuals and familiesand familiesProcessProcess engaged in to get desired result engaged in to get desired resultUnites science for observation (evidence) and Unites science for observation (evidence) and philosophy for analysis and criticism (reason) (Yoo, philosophy for analysis and criticism (reason) (Yoo, 1999)1999)Result=improved living conditions for human familyResult=improved living conditions for human familyProcessProcess of asking questions and finding answers of asking questions and finding answersHelps students learn to think, reason, reflect, and take Helps students learn to think, reason, reflect, and take action through study of recurring, practical problemsaction through study of recurring, practical problemsUniqueness comes from questions askedUniqueness comes from questions askedContent develops in response to questions askedContent develops in response to questions askedhttp://www.rednova.com/modules/news/tools.php?tool=print&id=44522Critical Science ApproachCritical Science ApproachHelps individuals gainHelps individuals gainPersonal freedom from internal constraints such biases, lack Personal freedom from internal constraints such biases, lack of skill or point of viewof skill or point of viewSocial freedom from external constraintsSocial freedom from external constraintsOppressionOppressionExclusionExclusionAbuse of power relationsAbuse of power relationsRemoving limitations of freedom and daily life involve the Removing limitations of freedom and daily life involve the following processes:following processes:EmancipationEmancipationLiberationLiberationEmpowermentEmpowermentTransformationTransformationConcerned with power relations—elite oppressing Concerned with power relations—elite oppressing others by controlling knowledge, access to power, others by controlling knowledge, access to power, meanings, daily practicesmeanings, daily practicesUncovering power imbalance involves finding out “what Uncovering power imbalance involves finding out “what is” so “what could be” can be determined (Rehm, 1999)is” so “what could be” can be determined (Rehm, 1999)McGregor, 2003Language of CritiqueLanguage of CritiqueCritical Critical ConsciousnessConsciousnessSlow realization that Slow realization that people do have power people do have power to change things that to change things that keep them keep them down=increased self-down=increased self-consciousnessconsciousnessProblem PosingProblem PosingThrough telling Through telling personal stories and personal stories and reading others—gain reading others—gain of the skill to name of the skill to name problem developsproblem developsSelf-reflectionSelf-reflectionFiguring out “why you Figuring out “why you are doing what