Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1987

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Brown, Robert G.

Abstract

This study presents an overview of several implementations within North America of the philosophy and/or pedagogy of Paulo Freire from the time period 1967-1987. It concentrates on the usage of Freire within several specific areas of adult, secondary, or higher educational settings. It includes categories of Freire practitioners ranging from those who use the total Freire concept to those who have modified, adapted or operationalized it. Because Freire's philosophy comes out of a unique social, historical context within Brazil, the social, historical context of American education and its attendant philosophical debate from the 1960's-1980's is briefly reviewed. The appropriateness of considering Freire as an individual who presents a "language of possibility" within any changing societal context is presented. Freire's biographical background and the sources of his philosophy are described in brief. An overview of his major anthropological/educational constructs is given. His pedagogy and literacy design are summarized, and the developmental nature of his ideas is stressed. General implementations of Freire within North America are included and several individuals or institutions that have had some long-term use of Freire are listed. Their comments and descriptions of implementation are reviewed. The material includes published and unpublished sources as well as information obtained from a 1987 questionnaire sent by the author to a representative sample of those using the ideas of Freire. Evaluations and assessments of such Freire-inspired programs are registered. Practitioner evaluations are given priority over general critique, but a sampling of both is included. Several focus upon the positive responses of learners to this approach, while others classify specific problems encountered when implementation within the North American context is attempted. The resource base includes existing sources (books, published reviews) from 1967-1987 and primary sources (survey results and individual interviews). General reflections about the use of Freire within North America during 1967-1987 are offered. Some future projections are included. Recommendations include continued study of Paulo Freire, circulation of "network" names, increased critical assessment, and some "updating" of the Freire model to include new areas of brain research and other learning models. It is assumed that North Americans will continue to actively engage in critical dialogue with Freire philosophy while maintaining a sensitivity to their own cultural and historical context.

Extent

170 p.

Comments

Thesis (Educat.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1987.|College of Education|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (Educat.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1987.

Identifier

FADT11903

Format

pdf

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