Abstract
Abstract
This paper presents a critical investigation of a group of 11 religious education (RE) student teachers’ views of the promotion of fundamental British values (FBV) undertaken in 2015. Using qualitative methods data was collected in two semi-structured group interviews. Drawing from the perspectives of Foucauldian methodology and critical theory, this paper examines the extent to which student teachers were able to align the FBV discourse with their own personal and professional positioning. Findings demonstrate little consensus about what constitutes Britishness. There is evidence of dissonance in the student teachers’ views that FBV sends out contradictory messages. The student teachers are committed to the development of learners’ moral imaginations but are concerned by the capacity of FBV to alienate learners and its incompatibility with the pluralism of RE. The paper argues that it is through the development of teacher subjectivity in the alternative discourses of critical RE and research that practitioners will be able to make adjustments that can accommodate and reappropriate the demands of policy.
Key words: fundamental, British, values, religious, education, discipline, subjectivity, student teacher.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 280-297 |
Journal | Journal of Education for Teaching |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 13 May 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 13 May 2016 |
Research Centres
- International Centre on Racism
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Dr FRANCIS FARRELL
- Secondary, Further Education & Training - SL in Theology & Religion
Person: Academic