Reflexive Pedagogy: Teaching and Learning in Peace and Conflict Studies

In: Conflict resolution quarterly, Volume 32, Issue 2, p. 109-128

Abstract

I suggest and illustrate how teaching students to become reflexively self‐aware is an empowering process and philosophy for both teaching and learning about peace and conflict. Developing tools and methods to encourage reflexivity—such as journals, exercises, and reflexive conflict engagement in the classroom—can help students develop a deep self‐awareness about their own thoughts and reflections and greatly enhance education and its liberating potential. In addition to learning critical thinking about the "reality out there," students and teachers will greatly benefit by reflexive study of their own reactions to conflict and cooperation, empowerment, and peace in order to gain deeper perspective and new skills for studied choice making and modeling to others.