No Angel in the Classroom

No Angel in the Classroom: Teaching through Feminist Discourse presents a theoretically complex yet down-to-earth and personal account of feminist teaching in higher education. Starting with a nuanced interpretation of consciousness-raising, longtime feminist educator Berenice Malka Fisher develops her philosophy of feminist teaching as a form of political discourse. Through reflection on a series of candid classroom stories, she analyzes knotty problems faced by academics and activists. What counts as knowledge in discussion of feminist issues? Can teachers exercise authority without being authoritarian? What is the role of caring in political deliberation? Should safety be considered when students and teachers address volatile topics? How can feminist and other teachers committed to social justice give serious attention to the intersections of gender, race, and sexual orientation? This groundbreaking book is intended for the beginning and veteran teachers and others concerned with the contribution of education to extending social justice. Fisher's work offers a pedagogical vision that inspires both passion and critical thinking.