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The Polarized Classroom

Political and Pedagogical Challenges in 21st Century Schools

The Polarized Classroom cover

The Polarized Classroom

Political and Pedagogical Challenges in 21st Century Schools

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Pre-order. Available 01 Apr 2027
$144.00 RRP $160.00 Website price saving $16.00 (10%)

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Description

At a moment in which intensified polarization is reshaping contemporary classrooms, how can schools respond with clarity, courage and educational purpose?

The Polarized Classroom shows how teachers, administrators, and policymakers can navigate disputes over race, gender identity, free expression, disinformation, curriculum, sexuality education, trans inclusion, and democratic citizenship without retreating from the core responsibilities of schooling.

Bringing together leading and emerging educational scholars, the collection demonstrates that polarization is not simply a problem to be managed, but a challenge that requires careful judgment about authority, impartiality, dialogue, inclusion, and intellectual humility. Contributors examine how educators can make principled decisions under pressure, resist censorship and ideological simplification, and create classrooms where disagreement can become a condition for learning rather than a source of paralysis.

Balancing practical guidance with broader reflection, The Polarized Classroom offers educators, researchers, administrators, and policymakers a timely framework for sustaining educational integrity in contentious times. It shows how schools can confront division while remaining committed to democratic inquiry, student dignity, and responsible teaching.

Table of Contents

List of Figures
List of Tables
Acknowledgements
Introduction. Navigating the Polarized Classroom. David I. Waddington
Chapter 1. Teacher Impartiality: Research Insights and Regulatory Expectations. Bruce Maxwell
Chapter 2. Educational Censorship and Professional Survival in Polarized Times. Wayne Journell
Chapter 3. The Politics of Avoidance: Teaching for Democracy in Polarized Times. Joel Westheimer
Chapter 4. Teacher Authority in the Polarized Classroom. Tessa MacLean and Kevin McDonough
Chapter 5. Epistemic Humility and Democratic Education. Bryan R. Warnick
Chapter 6. A Conservative Republican Appeal for Consensus. Campbell F. Scribner
Chapter 7. Tending to Polarizing Risk/Pleasure Binaries in Sex Education: Reflections from a Post-Secondary Classroom in Quebec. Emma Corosky & Casey Burkholder
Chapter 8. Discomfort and Desire: Seeking a Trans Sex Education. Jaeden Wilson
Chapter 9. Seeking Similitude: How Levinas Helps Us Make Sense of the Appeal of Misinformation in A Time of Technocapitalism. Lana Parker
Conclusion. Addressing Polarization in Learning Environments: Toward a Dialogic Approach Grounded in Epistemic Care. Lucia Dikaczova
Index
Notes on Contributors

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published 01 Apr 2027
Format Hardback
Edition 1st
Pages 256
ISBN 9798216374978
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Illustrations 2 images; 2 tables
Dimensions 229 x 152 mm
Series Extremity in Society and Culture
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Volume Editor

Kevin McDonough

Kevin McDonough is Associate Professor of Philosop…

Volume Editor

Lucia Dikaczova

Lucia Dikaczova is a PhD Candidate in the Departme…

Volume Editor

David Waddington

David Waddington is Professor in the Department of…

Volume Editor

Tessa MacLean

Tessa MacLean is Assistant Professor in the Depart…

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