SDM621: Critical reflection in adult learning and education

The Module aims to familiarise students with the different meanings of the concept of critical reflection and the challenges that arise from its applications in adult educational practice. The weekly units initially map the theoretical discussions on critical reflection by mainly drawing from texts and authors whose work directly relates to adult education. The Module attempts to encourage a comparative analysis of the basic approaches to critical reflection, emphasising how the "critical" dimension of reflection is defined in the context of diverse theoretical traditions, based on distinct epistemologies, hypotheses, values, concepts, methods and areas of concern. In the context of this comparative analysis, the discussion opens to other approaches, perspectives and concepts that help us to broaden the theoretical discussion on critical reflection, such as the role of the emotions, the importance of narrative learning, and the challenges posed by cultural differences and gender hierarchies.