Pedagogy of Vulnerability (HC)

<p>The purpose of this text is to elicit discussion reflection and action specific to pedagogy within education especially higher education and circles of experiential learning community organizing conflict resolution and youth empowerment work. Vulnerability itself is not a new term within education; however the pedagogical imperatives of vulnerability are both undertheorized in educational discourse and underexplored in practice. This work builds on that of Edward Brantmeier in <em>Re-Envisioning Higher Education: Embodied Pathways to Wisdom and Transformation </em>(Lin Oxford & Brantmeier 2013). In his chapter “Pedagogy of vulnerability: Definitions assumptions and application” he outlines a set of assumptions about the term clarifying for his readers the complicated risky reciprocal and purposeful nature of vulnerability particularly within educational settings.</p><p>Creating spaces of risk taking and consistent mutual critical engagement are challenging at a moment in history where neoliberal forces impact so many realms of formal teaching and learning. Within this context the divide between what educators be they in a classroom or a community imagine as possible and their ability to implement these kinds of pedagogical possibilities is an urgent conundrum worth exploring. We must consider how to address these disconnects; advocating and envisioning a more holistic healthy forward thinking model of teaching and learning.  How do we create cultures of engaged inquiry framed in vulnerability where educators and students are compelled to ask questions just beyond their grasp?  How can we all be better equipped to ask and answer big beautiful bold even uncomfortable questions that fuel the heart of inquiry and perhaps just maybe lead to a more peaceful and just world?</p><p>A collection of reflections case studies and research focused on the pedagogy of vulnerability is a starting point for this work. The book itself is meant to be an example of pedagogical vulnerability wherein the authors work to explicate the most intimate and delicate aspects of the varied pedagogical journeys understandings rooted in vulnerability and those of their students colleagues clients even adversaries. It is a work that “holds space.”</p>