Curriculum Development in the Postmodern Era

Curriculum Development in the Postmodern Era provided the first introduction to and analysis of contemporary concepts of curriculum development in relation to postmodernism. It challenged educators to transcend purely traditional approaches to curriculum development and instead to incorporate various postmodern discourses into their reflection and action in schools. Since its publication in 1995, the curriculum studies field has exploded, the very notion of the postmodern has shifted and the landscape of American schooling has changed dramatically - federal policies like "No Child Left Behind" have dramatically increased the focus on accountability and consequently what and how teachers teach.

In this much-anticipated and thoroughly updated edition, noted curriculum studies scholar Patrick Slattery tackles these and other issues to reflect on the current state of curriculum development and on where the field may go from here.

Curriculum Development in the Postmodern Era provided the first introduction and analysis of contemporary concepts of curriculum development in relation to postmodernism. It challenged educators to transcend purely traditional approaches to curriculum development and instead incorporate various postmodern discourses into their reflection and action in schools. Since publication in 1995, the curriculum studies field has exploded, the very notion of the postmodern has shifted, and the landscape of American schooling has changed dramatically-federal policies like No Child Left Behind have dramatically increased the focus on accountability and consequently what and how teachers teach. The need to understand curriculum in relation to global religions, ethnic relations, multicultural communities, and socio-political interest groups has been magnified. Controversial issues such as biology, gender roles, academic freedom, religion and prayer in schools, gay straight alliances, GLBT literature in the curriculum studies is theorized. In this much-anticipated and thoroughly updated edition, noted curriculum studies scholar Patrick Slattery tackles these and other issues to reflect on the current state of curriculum development and on where the field may go from here.

Booknews

Suggests approaches to elementary and secondary school curriculum development that integrate postmodern ideas on religion, race, gender, philosophy, global ecology, politics, aesthetics, autobiography, and cosmology. Also emphasizes the importance of interaction and equality in the curriculum. Of interest to students of education, teachers, administrators, and researchers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Patrick Slattery is Regents Scholar and Professor of Curriculum Development and Philosophy of Education at Texas A&M University. He holds a joint appointment in the Departments of Teaching, Learning & Culture and Educational Administration & Human Resource Development.