Towards a Transformative Curriculum: Critical Resources in a Social Studies Classroom

The purpose of this research is in exploring how a critical curriculum in the social studies classroom leads to a transformative education. Since foundational narratives are deeply embedded in our educational curriculum, critical sources offer contradicting cultural and socio-political relevance within traditional works. As counternarratives, these become powerful tools for empowering both teacher and student identity. While traditional frameworks delegitimize other perspectives, critical interpretations center on citizenship and consciousness raising. Herein, critical sources deconstruct master narratives and contradict the power structures that lead to the unequal distribution of power. They prevent the educational curriculum from further contributing to the dangerous system of control, subordination, and White hegemony. As such, the pedagogical promise of critical resources is discussed.