Hsiu-Chu Hsu

Publication Date

2007

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Cunningham, Phyllis M.

Degree Name

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education

LCSH

Freire; Paulo; 1921-1997--Criticism and interpretation; Gandhi; Mahatma; 1869-1948--Criticism and interpretation; Nh{circ}{acute}at H{dotb}anh; Th{acute}ich--Criticism and interpretation; Peace--Study and teaching; Adulthood--Education (Graduate)

Abstract

In the context of rampant individual, national, and international violence, this research explores the role and the essential elements of peace education in adult education. The methodology uses Hans Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics to understand and interpret texts and events related to the study. Preliminary literature reviews identify three elements—criticality, nonviolence, and wholism—as essential to adult peace education. Three theorists—Paulo Freire, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, and Thich Nhat Hanh—represent the three elements respectively. Five questions explore the three theorists’ ideas: how they view reality and human potential; how they view distortions of the human condition; what methods they promote for achieving peace; and what their views imply for peace education in adult education. The Freirean critical approach suggests that peace education enhance critical citizenship education so that citizens can be inspired and equip themselves to participate responsibly in democratic life and take collective action to change problematic political and socio-economic situations. The Gandhian nonviolent approach suggests that peace education challenge many conventional political and socio-economic concepts and practices and explore nonviolent alternatives for social change and conflict resolution. Nonviolent alternatives, rooted in solid spiritual practices, include resistance and proactive constructive programs. Hanh’s wholistic approach suggests that peace education enhance diverse ways of knowing: learning through emotion, meditation/ contemplation, and the unconscious. It also suggests that peace education facilitate spiritual growth through both active social engagement and contemplative spiritual practices. The wholistic approach advocates proactive promotion of interfaith understanding through recognizing and respecting other faiths’ religious claims and engaging in dialogue to understand them. By introducing peace education in adult education graduate programs, adult educators can be prepared to include peace discussions and actions in their future practices, both in institutional or popular educational settings. Future research may develop peace education pedagogy, explore sources of funding and the possibility of influencing policies, and survey adult educators’ willingness to participate in peace education and obstacles to their participation. Peace education can be a new way in which adult education can respond to the demand of current world situations.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [317]-342).

Extent

xiv, 354 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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