Sustainability and Social Justice

Beyond Content: Radical Belonging and Learning as a Community in a Feminist Development Studies Course on Population and the Environment

Document Type

Book Chapter

Abstract

Authored by an anthropologist trained in critical development studies and African Studies, this chapter describes a pedagogical shift in a course titled “Beyond the Population Bomb: Rethinking Population and Environment in an Era of Climate Change.” Moving beyond learning diverse content, the three objectives for the course were: (1) Create a space of radical belonging for all students, (2) invite students to be responsible for their learning, and (3) provide opportunities for all students to think about how their racialized identities and social positions shaped their engagement with course themes. The antiracist action plan included generating community norms for the classroom with periodic check-ins, multiple reflection exercises over the semester in which students assessed their own learning, and community-building experiences in and outside of class. While all students were enthusiastic about community building, it is difficult to discern the degree to which this foundation of radical belonging and connection enhanced students’ engagement with course content. While this is perhaps impossible to measure, this chapter argues that pedagogical practices that facilitate community and belonging are necessary steps in creating an antiracist classroom. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Jie Y. Park and Laurie Ross; individual chapters, the contributors.

Publication Title

Towards a Community of Antiracist Praxis in Higher Education: Transformative Principles, Practices, and Resources for the Classroom

Publication Date

1-2025

First Page

52

Last Page

69

ISBN

9781040418444

DOI

10.4324/9781003472087-4

Keywords

antiracism, curricula, feminism, higher education, teaching

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