Curriculum and Social Inquiry Commons^™

"Through A Medium Of Fordism": Images And Ideas On Utopia, Lisa Voelker

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

The concept of utopia, which has long captivated human imagination, offering a vision of an ideal society that can be inspiring, is elusive at best and harmful in many of the actual attempts we’ve seen throughout history. This photo essay takes me through the philosophical underpinnings of Fordism’s Utopian ideas, the cultural intersections between the United States and Australia, and the enduring fascination with antiquity that shapes our modern identities (Gray, 2018). I aim to learn more about the contradictions and patterns that define our collective and individual pursuits of an ideal world.

Keywords: utopia, contradictions, liberation, photography

The Flaying Of America's Utopia: What New Dreams Can Be Imagined?, Rachel Robbins-Whited

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

Amid the collapse of American constitutionalism and the crisis of late capitalism, this paper argues for the urgent reimagining of global education through Critical Globalization Studies (CGS). Drawing from world-systems analysis, Fordism, and utopian theory, it traces how the United States exported capitalist hegemony globally, contributing to our current interregnum. The paper proposes CGS and Critical Global Citizenship Education (CGCE) as pedagogical tools for cultivating ethical, justice-oriented youth capable of imagining post-capitalist futures. Emphasizing glocalization and the legitimacy of non-Western epistemologies, the work calls for a reversal of hegemonic flows, where peripheral cultures help to reshape global education. It addresses …

Road Trip!: U-Turns, Detours, And Construction Aplenty In Fordist Modernity, Eric Ferris

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

Beginning with Peter Beilharz’s (2015) assertion that the modern and its active form, modernization, are often reductively conflated with both Fordism and Americanism, this essay teases out the idea that modernization is multifaceted, contested, and global in scope, despite the pains that both Fordism and Americanism have taken to obscure this unevenness in an attempt to monopolize the narrative of modernization. From there, it takes seriously Beilharz’s (2015) assertion that modernization imprints itself onto both production and consumption, and that among its paramount innovations is its impact on culture. The essay asserts that in addition to the automobile, Fordism has …

Forging Desire Paths In Undesirable Times, Rachel Dick

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

Drawing on the visit of Dr. Peter Beilharz and Dr. Sian Supski to Eastern Michigan University in October 2024, this essay explores the relationship between desire paths and our intersectional identities. Examining the impact of modernity on our lived experiences and conceptions of utopia, the essay explores the reality of the paths we must navigate daily to function in a society built on systems of power and oppression. Ultimately, the essay argues that marginalized individuals must draw survivance and insurgent lines, rather than truly desirable lines, in order to strive towards utopia.

Keywords: desire paths, utopia, identity, survivance, insurgent

Desire Paths: The Visible And Invisible, Audrey Farrugia

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

This paper explores the concept of desire paths, unplanned routes created by people to move quickly through an environment, and their relationship to inclusivity and social justice. Building on Sian Supski’s public talk at Eastern Michigan University’s College of Education, sponsored by The Workshop for Community+Collaboration and the Morris Chair for Educational Transformation, which highlighted the use of desire paths in everyday life, this paper promotes the exploration of the unconventional and often invisible desire paths created and traveled by marginalized people.

Keywords: desire path, inclusivity, disorientation guide

Sowing The Seeds Of Utopia Collectively, From Australia To America And Everywhere In Between: A Methodology And Practice For Resistance And Emancipation, Rachelle F. Marshall

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

This reflection on internationally renowned scholars Peter Beilharz and Sian Supski’s visit to Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in October 2024 presents utopia as a sociological methodology useful for research in educational studies. Presenting a brief introduction and exploration of the methodology, this article considers the cultural changes that are necessary to teach toward democratic, ecologically sustainable utopias compared to capitalist visions of utopia. As a starting point for further discussion, this personal reflection merely scratches the surface to provide a glimpse into the conditions that would underlie a democratic, ecologically sustainable utopia and serves to document a few of the …

Letter To Peter Beilharz And Sian Supski, Dante Dorsey

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

No abstract provided.

Editors' Introduction, Rachel Dick, Rachel Robbins-Whited

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

No abstract provided.

The Evolution Of Schooling: From Industrial Obedience To Techno-Autonomy, Seb Taylor, Ron Roberts Ii

Digital Laboratory: Publisher of Internet Journal

This paper examines the enduring architecture of the American education system as a mechanism designed for compliance, not creativity. Rooted in 19th-century industrial logic, the structure of schooling, its physical design, time constraints, and assessment methods, has remained largely static despite seismic cultural and technological shifts. Through historical analysis and contemporary critique, this work interrogates the persistence of standardized methods, institutional prestige, and top-down instruction as barriers to meaningful learning and value creation. Drawing from interdisciplinary research and live case studies, including Alpha School’s AI-powered, mastery-based model, the paper advances the concept of techno-education: a student-centered paradigm informed by feedback …

The Squandering Of Critical Thinking In Our Schools And What We Can Do About It, Nick Pocius

Essays in Education

In the face of increasing disinformation, reduced student engagement, and rigid educational structures, this article critiques the current U.S. public school system’s failure to cultivate critical thinking in students. Drawing from over two decades of classroom experience, the author argues that the systemic emphasis on standardized testing, prescribed curricula, and diminished access to arts and physical education have contributed to a decline in curiosity and creative inquiry. Furthermore, the omnipresence of smartphones and social media has robbed students of the boredom that often sparks critical thought. The article proposes several pragmatic solutions, including banning phones during school hours, reintroducing recess …

واقع تطبيق معايير الجودة والاعتماد في التعليم العالي في السعودية للوصول إلى التميز الأكاديمي استناداً إلى التجارب الدولية المعاصرة من وجهة نظر القيادات التربوية, Amjad Hayel Abdullah Al-Ruwaili, Khalid Ali Serhan

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدفت الدراسة التعرف إلى واقع تطبيق معايير الجودة والاعتماد في التعليم العالي في السعودية للوصول إلى التميز الأكاديمي استناداً إلى التجارب الدولية المعاصرة من وجهة نظر القيادات التربوية، ابتعت الدراسة المنهج الوصفي المسحي من خلال تطبيق استبانه مكونة من (58) فقرة على عينة مكونة من (388) قياديا من القيادات التربوية وأعضاء هيئة التدريس في الجامعات السعودية وفق متغيرات الدراسة. أظهرت نتائج الدراسة أن المتوسّطات الحسابيّة لإجابات أفراد عينة الدّراسة عن مجالات واقع تطبيق معايير الجودة والاعتماد في التعليم العالي في السعودية للوصول إلى التميز الأكاديمي استناداً إلى التجارب الدولية المعاصرة من وجهة نظر القيادات التربوية جاء بمستوى مرتفع، وجاء في …

Social Media And The Effect On Student Engagement, Lara Mcelveen

Dissertations

The purpose of my study was to determine the impact of social media on student engagement and behaviors in high school classrooms. The overarching research question that guided my study was: What is the impact of social media on student engagement? I used a mixed methods approach of quantitative and qualitative data to research my topic. I collected the data using surveys of two stakeholder groups in the study: young adults and educators. The survey results showed that both educators and young adults perceived a decline in class engagement and the rise of behavior in the classroom from social media …

Student Affairs Professional Preparation: A Scholar-Practitioner Guide To Contemporary Topics, Nikheal Patel

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

This review examines a recent edited volume that offers a timely and comprehensive exploration of the Higher Education/Student Affairs (HESA) field. The book distinguishes itself through its dual emphasis on foundational knowledge and contemporary challenges, while weaving together faculty and practitioner perspectives—a structural choice that reflects the collaborative ethos of the field itself. Organized into three parts, the book addresses traditional curriculum areas, institutional type considerations, and emerging topics shaping HESA practice today.

The review highlights how the authors thoughtfully engage Student Development Theory (SDT) as a framework not only for student growth, but also for the professional evolution of …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence In Education To Drive Cross-Sector Innovation, Brent Terwilliger, John Faraca

Publications

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes educational practices, particularly in technical fields such as uncrewed systems, robotics, and aviation/ aerospace, its integration raises promise and complexity. This exploratory study features an investigation of the impact AI tools adoption has on instruction, curriculum support, and workforce preparation, with a focus on online learning environments. Drawing from pilot survey data across aviation and aerospace education stakeholders and hands-on evaluation of AI video production platforms, findings reveal diverse applications, perceived benefits, and critical concerns, including ethical, pedagogical, and institutional challenges. Additionally, the analysis explored how AI-enabled education intersects with broader industry and government innovation …

Becoming A Beloved Community: A Restorative Reckoning For A Radical Conversion To Transform Discourse In Higher Education, Latasha Tomay Varlack-Butler

Dissertations

This dissertation critically examines the misappropriation of Restorative Justice Discourse (RJD) within three predominantly white institutions (PWIs), analyzing 59 institutional documents through Critical Discourse Analysis, Relational Critical Discourse Analysis, and Rhetorical Criticism (Fairclough, 1995; Vaandering, 2021; van Dijk, 2008). Tribal Colleges and Universities and South African institutions have emerged as exemplars of authentic RJD, countering co-optation within PWIs. The findings demonstrate that RJD as applied in PWIs is framed in ways that attenuate its transformative potential, perpetuating color-evasiveness (Bonilla-Silva, 2017) and obscuring the intersectional experiences of Black, Indigenous, and disabled communities (Crenshaw, 1991; Million, 2009).

Grounded in decolonial praxis (Smith, …

Beyond The Exam Score: An Examination Of The Kenyan Education System, Its Reforms, Inefficiencies, And Impact On Individuals And Society At Large, Olivia M. Pederson

Honors Projects

In Kenya, secondary education plays a decisive role in shaping students’ university and career opportunities as well as their social mobility. The national exam, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), acts as a key gateway to higher education and employment. The quality and accessibility of education for Kenyan youth, however, has been impacted by systemic inefficiencies ranging from underfunding and disparities in resource allocation to an exam-centric curriculum. This study takes a qualitative approach, using both purposive and convenience sampling to gather data through a questionnaire sent to university students and adults that have graduated from a Kenyan secondary school. …

The Role Of School Leadership In Promoting And Supporting Cultural Diversity And Inclusion In The Classroom: A Grounded Theory Approach, Matuor Dot Alier

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study addresses the pressing issue of how school leadership influences the promotion and support of cultural diversity and inclusion within classrooms. Despite growing demographic diversity in educational settings, many schools fail to adequately prioritize cultural inclusion, leading to inequities in educational opportunities, social isolation, and discrimination for students from diverse backgrounds. School leaders are uniquely positioned to create inclusive environments, yet there remains limited research on how they implement and sustain effective diversity practices. This qualitative study explores the experiences and strategies of school leaders who have successfully fostered inclusive educational environments. Grounded in a constructivist paradigm and employing …

A Pipeline To Prison Or A Pathway To Promise? The Inequities Fueling The School To Prison Pipeline, Ranishia Lachelle Bailey

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This systematic review proposal would investigate the school-to-prison pipeline and examine the role of pedagogical interventions in mitigating youth involvement in the justice system. By analyzing existing literature, this proposal would study and explore how school system biases, educational frameworks, and systemic factors contribute to the perpetuation of this pipeline, with a specific focus on how educational policies and disciplinary practices impact at-risk youth. The review aims to identify effective interventions that can disrupt this cycle, including restorative justice practices, trauma-informed education, positive behavioral interventions, and culturally responsive teaching. A comprehensive search strategy should be employed across various academic databases, …

Intimacy Versus Isolation In Adults With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities: An Educational Video-Series For Caregivers, Aubrey Lynn Brinkley

Student Capstone Papers

Caregivers of care-recipients with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) do not have sufficient resources to assist their care-recipients with the adult developmental stage of intimacy versus isolation. This capstone considers the occupational and developmental impacts that growing individuals with IDD face, namely the developmental stages including healthy relationships, sexual safety, and intimacy. The literature review covers the scientific, statistical, and historical importance of this developmental milestone. Varied opinions and needs that surround the subject of intimacy and healthy relationships for adults with IDD were considered. Sexual abuse statistics were highlighted. A multitude of feedback from organizations, personal caregivers, scientists, psychologists, …

Navigating The Academic Terrain: Examining The Challenges And Success Factors Of Student Veterans In Higher Education Institutions, Katherine Reyes, Corey Idleburg

Education Division Scholarship

This study investigates the academic experiences of student veterans, addressing specific challenges they face in higher education. Using Schlossberg’s adult transition theory, it explores the effects of invisible barriers, enrollment trends, and institutional factors on veteran student success, leveraging the VA’s GI Bill Comparison tool to examine public versus private school support. Findings underscore the need for targeted resources, faculty training, and institutional awareness to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances veteran students' academic success and sense of belonging.

Quality Control: How School Districts Define, Recruit, And Retain High-Quality Teachers, A Qualitative Case Study, Tandalaya White

Dissertations of Practice

This research investigates how school administrators define, recruit, and retain highquality teachers and examines the implications of these efforts on student outcomes. Emphasizing the distinction between teacher quality: skills, abilities, and dispositions and teacher qualifications: certificates, degrees, and credentials, the study explores their overlap and importance in meeting the unique needs of districts, particularly in high-needs areas such as English as a second language (ESL) and special education. The presence or absence of such teachers critically impacts academic performance and social-emotional development, disproportionately affecting students of color and those in impoverished areas. Inadequate practices may contribute to the misidentification of …

Team Teaching As Honors Faculty Professional Development, Richard Badenhausen

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Discusses how team teaching may serve as professional learning and development for honors faculty in higher education and why it is valuable to frame it as such.

A Critical Role For An Honors Community Of Practice, Rebecca C. Bott-Knutson, Scott O'Leary, Scott Breuninger, Karen D. Youmans, Jeff Chamberlain, Sheila Nowinski

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

The Honors Community of Practice is a promising form of professional development in honors, where the wide variety of institutions, professional roles, and structures can present challenges to inclusive and relevant programming. The HCoP’s flexible and responsive format allows individuals in different contexts to connect, share resources, and learn from one another. The fluid nature of HCoP discussions, in which participants shift between mentor and mentee roles, highlights expertise in the community and encourages new voices to emerge. Of course, the advantages of Communities of Practice are not confined to honors. Their adaptability and simplicity make it effective programming in …

An Edifying Honors Collaboration, Rebecca C. Bott-Knutson, Jonathan D. Kotinek, Hedi M. Appel, Joy L. Hart, Paul Knox, Andrea Radasanu, Daniel M. Roberts, Timothy J. Nichols, Leigh E. Fine, William L. Ziegler, Mary Bryk, Susan Sumner, Rachael Budowle, Kaetlyn Cordingly, Graham E. Bastian, Noah Roerig, Adam Stroud, Keith Garbutt

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

In this chapter, we describe how one honors collaborative was formed, how it functions, and how it continues to evolve. For members of this collaborative, it has been an extraordinary professional journey with edifying impacts as we have been instructed, improved, and enlightened by our involvement.

Our collaborative emerged as a space to engage with colleagues across the nation with the common goal of better preparing honors students to tackle the grand challenges we face as a society (Appel et al., 2023). It comprises a network of honors leaders from 14 universities representing a variety of land-grant, Historically Black Colleges …

Hacking Through The Silos: Honors Faculty Development, Joy L. Hart, Rebecca C. Bott-Knutson, Hedi M. Appel, Jonathan D. Kotinek, Paul Knox, Susan Sumner, Noah Roerig, William L. Ziegler, Leigh E. Fine

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Based on our work with a multi-institutional honors hackathon, we examine the faculty benefits of planning and leading hackathons, focusing especially on enhanced understanding across disciplines—or hacking through academic silos.

Where Honors Education And Faculty Development Meet: Front And Back Matter, John Zubizarreta, Victoria M. Bryan

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Front and back matter

Where Honors Education and Faculty Development Meet [NCHC Monograph Series], John Zubizarreta and Victoria M. Bryan, editors

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States: National Collegiate Honors Council, 2025

Includes:

Front and back covers

Table of contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword, Victoria Mundy Bhavsar and Suketu P. Bhavsar

Introduction, John Zubizarreta and Victoria M. Bryan

About the authorsAbout the NCHC Monograph Series

List of NCHC monographs and journals

NCHC publications order form

From the back cover:

This volume contains an assorted collection of theoretical and practical essays that demonstrate the value of collaborations between honors programs or colleges and faculty development, …

Leadership Academy: Fostering Honors Faculty Growth Through Peer-To-Peer Learning, Chelsea Redger-Marquardt, Doug Stucky, Cindi Mason, Bobby Berry, Samantha Gregus, Kimberly Engber

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Discusses the Lead for Tomorrow program at the Cohen Honors Leadership Academy at Wichita State University, fostering honors faculty growth through peer-to-peer learning.

Empowering Honors Education: A Joint Initiative For Teaching Excellence And Curriculum Enhancement, Alexandra Bitton-Bailey, Ryan Z. Good, Gabriela Hamerlinck, Melissa L. Johnson

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Honors leaders should consider faculty development partnerships as outlets for not only communicating instructional opportunities to a wider audience but also broadening teaching opportunities for faculty in departments that are not always represented and for faculty in non-tenure-track as well as tenure-track lines. An ongoing partnership with a faculty development group can also help honors leaders stay aware of teaching with new technologies, manage emergent trends in the classroom such as the use of artificial intelligence, contribute to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, and provide an outlet for reflection about honors instruction. The CTE-Honors partnership at the University of …

Leadership And Change From Within: An Honors College And Ctl Partnership, Connie M. Schroeder, Hilary K. Snow

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Scaling sustainable change in teaching and learning is an institutional priority in higher education, yet often it is elusive, given the decentralized and siloed academic landscape. Most colleges and departments lack the necessary expertise to design and implement scaled change or the critical organizational structures to sustain change. Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTLs) seek to advance improvement in teaching and learning and highlight improving institutional culture as part of their mission. Reliance on traditional programming and consultations, however, primarily targets individual change versus scaled or sustainable change.

The successful process of change at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Honors College …