Article

Collaboration as a Form of Institutional Critique: Teaching and Learning in the Wake of Anti-DEI Legislation

Authors: Meredith Johnson orcid logo (University of South Florida) , Kelci Barton (University of South Florida) , Shari Drumond (University of South Florida) , Nicole Musselman (University of South Florida) , Anjelica Rechsteiner (University of South Florida) , Valerie Smith (University of South Florida)

  • Collaboration as a Form of Institutional Critique: Teaching and Learning in the Wake of Anti-DEI Legislation

    Article

    Collaboration as a Form of Institutional Critique: Teaching and Learning in the Wake of Anti-DEI Legislation

    Authors: , , , , ,

Abstract

How do we move forward when the legality of teaching and learning about social justice research is called into question by the state? This article demonstrates the efficacy of collaboration as a form of institutional critique that made it possible to provide a comprehensive graduate education following the emergence of anti-DEI legislation in Florida. To teach and learn in a tumultuous legal landscape without sacrificing rigor, eliding DEI-oriented scholarship, or violating state law, we piloted a collaborative disciplinary meta-analysis project that enabled students to study social justice research along with the field’s other major research topics. This portable approach allowed us to meet the professional and ethical imperative to engage research that has been targeted by state officials but remains foundational for disciplinary expertise. It also demonstrates the futility of removing politically unfavorable scholarship from curricula. After sharing an overview of the results of our meta-analysis project, with a special focus on our field’s take on social justice and collaboration, we reflect on the rhetorical strategies those of us working in highly politicized educational climates have deployed to manage increased oversight from zealous state legislatures challenging the legitimacy of disciplinary expertise.

Keywords: collaboration, social justice, professional and technical communication, disciplinarity, Florida, institutional critique

How to Cite:

Johnson, M. & Barton, K. & Drumond, S. & Musselman, N. & Rechsteiner, A. & Smith, V., (2024) “Collaboration as a Form of Institutional Critique: Teaching and Learning in the Wake of Anti-DEI Legislation”, Poroi 18(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/2151-2957.33787

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Published on
10 Dec 2024
Peer Reviewed
License
CC BY-NC 4.0