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Joe L. Kincheloe (1950–2008) was one of North America’s leading critical pedagogy scholars. He defined post-formalist thought in terms of deconstruction, affectivity, and non-linearity. His deconstruction focused on the context of ideas, ideologies, and teaching. It was a form of sociological deconstruction, and as such, inspired by Derrida, but different from him as well. In effect, Kincheloe was trying to marry Derrida to Foucault by making deconstruction see power in thought, relationships, and the world. Kincheloe’s ‘turn to affect’ was inspired by feminism and radical pedagogy. It was ‘affect’ focused on (in)justice and the social practices of repression. His ‘self-other’ construct was inherently politicized by his identification of ‘unfreedom’ with capitalism and the assumption that this link determines affect. Kincheloe assumed that linear rationality was inadequate to understanding human needs and hopes. Freedom as dynamism was seen to be inherently non-linear. The prison of rationality (it can only repeat the same, over and over again) was the crux of his critique of Newtonian-Cartesian linearity. Kincheloe attempted to construct a concept of ‘place’—such as the classroom. But it was a particular, concrete classroom and not an abstract or theoretical one. Here, the three concepts could come together. ‘Place’ is context, and to understand it, deconstruction is needed. ‘Place’ exists as it is felt and requires affectivity; it is eventful, alive, and dynamic. It requires non-linearity to be understood. Post-formalism, Pedagogy Lives (in memory of Kincheloe’s contribution) encompasses each of the basic principles of Kincheloe’s post-formal thought ‘‘Hans Jansen and Hugo Letiche share Kincheloe’s sense of work and wonder in «Post-formalism, Pedagogy Lives». This is energizing to all of the advanced scholars left to carry on this important project and enlightening to an audience of new scholars who are not afraid of the complexities in a repackaged, overly (re)presented world.’’Roymieco A. Carter, Director of the Visual Arts Program, North Carolina A&T State University ‘‘At a time when democratic life in schools and society is being threatened by close-minded authoritarian values, a book that highlights the brilliance and versatility of the contributions made by late critical scholar Joe L. Kincheloe is precisely what we need today. In «Post-formalism, Pedagogy Lives», Hans Jansen and Hugo Letiche beautifully bring together a set of outstanding essays that powerfully speak to the transformative courage and commitment that we, as educators, researchers, and activists, must encompass, if our work is to express the integrity of our emancipatory vision and the essence of our evolving humanity. It is a book that holds important philosophical keys to a life affirming pedagogy and liberatory possibilities for creating a more loving and just world.’’Antonia Darder, Leavey Endowed Chair of Ethics and Moral Leadership, Loyola Marymount University; and Distinguished Visiting Faculty, University of Johannesburg “«Post-formalism, Pedagogy Lives» builds on the work of Joe Kincheloe and extends his educational and political insights into the twenty-first century. In this book a range of writers have addressed the promise of critical pedagogy and post-formalism in a way that will inspire and energize anyone concerned with pedagogy’s crucial relationship to matters of politics, power, agency, and hope. This is an important book that should be read by everyone concerned about the state and future of post-formalism and its connection to critical pedagogy.”Henry A. Giroux Figures – Preface – Introductions to Joe (L. Kincheloe) – Donaldo Macedo: Freire’s Presence in Post-formalism Pedagogy, a Foreword – Ana Cruz: Doing Post-formalism with Joe’s Help – Shirley R. Steinberg: Radical Love – Vincent Pieterse: The Blue(s) Road of Knowledge – Hans Jansen: Introduction to Post-formalism as a Way of Life – Right Now: Critical Pedagogy and Post-formalism – Gert Biesta: Critical Pedagogy, Equality, and the Future of Schooling – Peter McLaren: Critical Pedagogy in the 21st Century – David M. Boje: Crises of Pedagogy in McUniversity: A Pragmatist-Storytelling Contribution to Joe L. Kincheloe’s Critical Ontology – Jack Whitehead: Legitimation of Post-formalism with Living Theories – Post-formalism: Next Steps in the Methodology – Hugo Letiche: From Post-formalism to Complexity or from Kincheloe to Simondon – Albert Cath: Hole in the Fence: Losing, Saving, and Protecting Non-Linear Knowing – Conclusion – Hans Jansen and Hugo Letiche: Being (Becoming) Post-formal – Contributors – Index
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