Finding a Pedagogy of Empathy in a Common Read Project

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Finding a Pedagogy of Empathy in a Common Read Project
Language: English
Authors: Miriam Jaffe, Madhav Kafle, Erin K. Kelly, Ben Tam
Source: Teaching in Higher Education. 2025 30(2):396-411.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Empathy, College Freshmen, Reading Programs, School Transition, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Social Justice, Inquiry, Critical Reading, Writing (Composition), Teaching Methods, Curriculum Implementation, Communities of Practice, Student Projects
DOI: 10.1080/13562517.2024.2324727
ISSN: 1356-2517
1470-1294
Abstract: Inspired by common read projects, wherein first-year students read a shared text as a means of acclimating to the university community, our writing program adopted a project introducing students to bell hooks' 'Teaching With Love' through an empathy-based pedagogy. The researchers, with faculty participants, used a heuristic method of indwelling to reflect on core issues of equity, inclusivity, diversity, and justice as the basis for developing overarching practices of inquiry, critical reading, and analytical writing. We found that a pedagogy of empathy is (1) anti-objectivist, (2) anti-domination, and (3) rigorous about listening. These findings were generated through our synthesis and analysis of interviews with faculty collaborators, revealing early strategies for accomplishing these features. Our study raises questions about how institutions might support empathy-based pedagogy as a post-pandemic and anti-racist practice to benefit teachers and students.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1458708
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:Inspired by common read projects, wherein first-year students read a shared text as a means of acclimating to the university community, our writing program adopted a project introducing students to bell hooks' 'Teaching With Love' through an empathy-based pedagogy. The researchers, with faculty participants, used a heuristic method of indwelling to reflect on core issues of equity, inclusivity, diversity, and justice as the basis for developing overarching practices of inquiry, critical reading, and analytical writing. We found that a pedagogy of empathy is (1) anti-objectivist, (2) anti-domination, and (3) rigorous about listening. These findings were generated through our synthesis and analysis of interviews with faculty collaborators, revealing early strategies for accomplishing these features. Our study raises questions about how institutions might support empathy-based pedagogy as a post-pandemic and anti-racist practice to benefit teachers and students.
ISSN:1356-2517
1470-1294
DOI:10.1080/13562517.2024.2324727