This summer I find myself on a writing journey. A few of my pervious posts have been about writing, discovering my writing process and the best way to tackle writing long term projects. For this post, I will examine Kathleen Nolan’s style of writing and how she uses critical theory and social justice in her writing. This week, I read two documents by Nolan, who uses critical theory as the foundation of her work. Instead of identifying the theories she uses as a framework for her research, she weaves critical theory throughout in her writing.
As I explained in my pervious post, Nolan uses two main theories reproduction theory and theory of punishment to inform her research. While conducting an ethnographic study in a low income urban public school in New York, Nolan, explains, in the purpose and goals section of her proposal, that she would like to examine 1. why urban schools are not getting resources they need, 2. how policy makers can be out of touch with what is really happening in the schools, 3. why there is a current investment in juvenile and criminal systems, 4. why are some schools becoming more like prisons, and 5. What connections exist between school discipline, educational policies and the criminal justice system? In order the answer these questions, she explains the need to look at the system that created this problem. She explained that she is interested in “following young people as they traverse the spaces between schools and prisons, such as the courts, the streets, subway stations, jobs and families” (p.3). To research this topic critically, the understanding of the system that makes up education is an important component to understanding the effect that it has on the individual, school governance and community for which it is a part of. In an effort to answer the questions Nolan presented as a goal of her research, an understanding of the education system is also needed. Nolan is not just going to examine surface level of the disciplinary process at this school she wants to know why this is occurring. By diving deeper into the education system, she will be able to gain an understanding of why this is occurring.
Research Question
Nolan also uses critical theory in how she sets up her research questions. In detail, she explains the questions that she would like to answer and explains why this question is important to be answered when looking at the overarching problem. She outlines the questions so that the reader is able to gain an understanding of how she plans to examine the structure of the prison and school systems. She begins by explaining how the first questions will explores the connection between the school and prison continuum and how policies play out with in the school. Her second question moves the readers beyond the school to observe how disciplinary forces play out in the lives of the students. The last two focuses on the culture and individual’s responses to how these systems has shaped their lives. Nolan further explains “these questions examine process of meaning making, identify construction and the emergence of historically specific forms of resistance” (p. 4). As a reader, I am able to see that Nolan’s questions will take me on a journey of exploration of these two systems, starting from a small scope then moving into the a much larger one.
Literature Review
Nolan begins the literature review by discussing the 3 main bodies of literature that she will be focusing on, 1. Critical education that analyses of the historical perspective of the changing role of urban public schools and studies that examine the repressive or discipling elements of schooling 2. An analyses of punishment theory and 3. Studies of urban youth culture and violence. Nolan presents a well-organized historical perspective of mass incarceration for which she used a critical perspective to examine. In addition, she discussed the political and economic efforts that have contributed to this problem over the year. The data that she uses help to inform the read of the problem in a well-organized and effective manner. Nolan also outlines the theory of punishment which she used throughout the literature review to discuss the use of discipline in the school system and the zero tolerance policy.
Methodology
To fully understand the effects of the zero tolerance policy has on the culture and individual, and to appreciate the effect this policies has on the school system, it is important to hear the voices of the individual who are a part of this system. I am not surprised that Nolan choose to do an ethnography for this study. This method of research will allow her to observe the participants, the behaviors of other within the system, learn how those behaviors connect to the system, and interview individuals to obtain additional information to answer her research question. For this study and the critical approach that Nolan uses throughout this proposal, it would be important for her to give voice to those who have been deemed voiceless because of this policy and system of education. I loved the section that Nolan included about doing social justice research! It added a personal touch to her proposal and allows the read to understand the lens for which she is writing this proposal.
Methods and Analysis
Nolan did an amazing job outlining the method section of her proposal. I am not surprised that her critical perspective would lead her to collect data on the neighborhood, suspension records, and school demographic. This information will help her examine the local education system that is in place. Also, these areas will help her identify the pipeline process that is taking place in this school system.
In addition, Nolan used this same social justice/ critical perspective when analyzing the data. She discussed the bias that one may have with this type of work and discussed the methods that she took to eliminate bias and stereotyping. By attempting to avoid bias she was able to openly observe the students and groups within the school. When discussing her process for analyzing the data, Nolan also revealed her interactions with some of the participants in the study. In the section titled, media texts and cultural productions, she discussed her interaction with a young man who was trying to determine what he should be called in the study. The identifier she suggested, informant and subject would have a different meaning to this student. It is no surprise that the student did not want to use those terms to describe himself.
This proposal by Nolan was well organized and very informative. As a reader, I can sense her passion for this topic and type of social justice work. I think she was able to use her social justice and critical lens to identify a major problem and really focus on the areas that will allow her to get to the root of the issue which is the pipeline from school to prison.
I am very excited I was able to read this document. Not only did this proposal inform my understanding of an issues that I had very little knowledge in, but it allowed me to witness how one can use a critical perspective throughout their writing. This is a writing skill that I plan to incorporate in my future writing.
Dear Chiquita,
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed reading about Nolan's work. It 's definitely an interesting and well designed study and felt exited seeing it then developed in her book. Since my exposure to school violence and discipline is limited to what's happening In RI, I felt so disconnected from what school is really like in densely urban districts such as the setting for her study. I was trying to make mental images of her descriptions of the student handcuffed in the dean's office surrounded by police. And for a petty offense! For me it was like I was visualizing the scene of a movie, this cannot be happening in real life. But the sad reality is that it does, and most people, like myself, are out of touch with this reality. It is normalized, that's why we don't see it unless we read studies and literature which challenges the structure of power over marginalized groups. I wonder how much impact she has had with this study and if she has conducted follow-up studies from this one.
Your writing is so clear and organized : ) I enjoyed reading your version, like David's.
See ya Wednesday!
"it is important to hear the voices of the individual who are a part of this system." --> Chiquita you nailed it here...those who are the targets of oppression have the most intimate understanding of how oppression works. This I think has important implications for your study! Student activists who have experienced race or class oppression are going to be able to best illuminate what it is like to engage with oppressive systems. Combine this with critical theory that explains the structures of that system and you have a rich study in the works.
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