Submit your abstract for HxA's 2027 Annual Conference

Heterodox Academy will collect and review conference programming proposals until submissions close on August 31.

Learn more
Heterodox Academy
Back to Podcasts
Twitter V1 3072x1536 min
July 22, 2021

S1 Episode 17: Critical Theory or Common Humanity? The Case for a Liberal Approach to Social Studies Education

Apple Podcasts | Android | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS

“Critical Race Theory” is all the rage these days. Between February and June of 2021, Fox News used the term nearly 1300 times. In the past two months, more than 20 bills have been proposed intending to ban Critical Race Theory from K-12 classrooms, while countless op-ed’s have been published taking positions on all sides of the issue. And yet, it still is a term with a slippery definition that very few people, regardless of position, agree upon.  Today’s blog, Critical Theory or Common Humanity? The Case for a Liberal Approach to Social Studies Education co-authored by Sam Merrick, a social studies teacher, and Samantha Hedges, a scholar of the politics of education and the Heterodox Academy K-12 Program Manager, discusses the role and meaning of Critical Theory in the K-12 classroom, as well as its relationship to viewpoint diversity.  The episode includes an exclusive interview with co-author, Samantha Hedges. To engage deeper with these ideas, check out our related posts:
  1. A Rhetoric of Common Values by Erec Smith
  2. Why Universities Must Choose One Telos: Truth or Social Justice by Jonathan Haidt
  3. Why K-12 Needs Viewpoint Diversity Now by Will Reusch
For comments and questions email communications@heterodoxacademy.org. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by the piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart The views of the authors do not necessarily reflect the view of Heterodox Academy.
Share:
Get HxA In Your Inbox
Related Podcasts
Danielle Allen JT
S2 Episode 47: The Skill That Built America Has Vanished From Universities
June 9, 2026+Danielle Allen
+Viewpoint Diversity+Constructive Disagreement+Open Inquiry+Academic Freedom+The Free Exchange of Ideas
Episode Thumbnail Sunstein
S2 Episode 46: Cass Sunstein on What's Actually Wrong With the University
June 9, 2026+Cass Sunstein
+Viewpoint Diversity+Constructive Disagreement+Open Inquiry+Academic Freedom+The Free Exchange of Ideas
Hx A June8215of246
Make a Donation

Your generosity supports our non-partisan efforts to advance the principles of open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement to improve higher education and academic research.


This site use cookies.

To better improve your site experience, we collect some data. To see what types of information we collect, read our Cookie Policy.