HUM50000 Critical Acting

Academic Year 2023/2024

Critical thinking is a core part of a university education in any discipline. Developing the ability to question ideologies and belief systems in a meaningful way, identifying the ways in which power relationships manifest themselves directly and indirectly in words and actions, and seeing through attempts by those in power to obfuscate exactly these manipulative activities are central components of higher education. Yet out in “real life” it is not easy to live according to these principles: After all, just identifying these issues through critical thinking is not sufficient; the true challenge is “critical acting” – doing something to improve a situation on the basis of our critical insights. Today perhaps more than ever before just describing the world’s problems is not enough; critical insights are only useful insofar as they lead to attempts to tackle and solve said problems. However, speaking truth to power inside and outside the academy is not easy and can lead to repercussions – yet it is a core part of academic activity, and currently under systemic threat in many places.
Critical Acting requires an understanding of ethics, a knowledge of strategies to engage in controversies effectively (finding allies, disseminating knowledge, taking appropriate action etc.), a way of coping mentally with the backlash by those being critiqued (particularly in our over-polarised world), and the strengthening of the moral backbone that every one of us regularly requires in light of the systemic temptations to enjoy the easier life of someone who never stirs the pot.
This module will address all these issues in an academic context through engagement with secondary literature, yet first and foremost examples experienced by those involved in teaching on it (including social, political and higher education issues). It will be taught by contributors from a broad range of disciplines and institutions who have personal experience with the issues in question. The areas covered will include issues affecting all walks of life such as equality, diversity and inclusion; neoliberalism; post-truth mentality; cancel culture and others. Students will be expected to identify issues of concern to them in their specific areas of research and develop strategies of how to engage with them critically and productively. The assignments will focus on producing creative and innovative responses to the issues concerning the participants in their own work.
In order to register for this module please go to this webpage and use the online registration form link provided in the "Method B" section.
https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/trainingdevelopment/taughtmodulesforresearchstudents/
These registrations are only processed about one week before teaching starts, yet we have enough places to ensure everybody will get in. If you have any question please email the module coordinator ()!