CRITICAL THEORIES AND STUDENT CIVIC OUTCOMES

This chapter explores critical theories, provides an overview of how critical theories are used in research, and identifies potential perspectives to improve service learning research. The broad meaning of critical theory highlights its transformative focus. Through a mutual aim “to explain and transform all the circumstances that enslave human beings,” many critical theories have emerged. These include critical race theory (CRT), feminist theories, queer theory, postmodernism, poststructuralism, and postcolonialism among others. CRT is focused on “studying and transforming the relationship among race, racism, and power”. Feminisms, like most critical theories, are concerned with issues of power and identity. Queer theory emphasizes the fluid nature of gender and sexuality. Poststructural theories recognize that knowledge is a construct maintained and upheld by those with power; therefore, poststructuralism welcomes a “plurality of meanings” to displace and disrupt the dominant knowledges that oppress. One of the skills identified in the civic action and reflection dimension of the Civic Engagement VALUE rubric is leadership.