Keywords
critical pedagogy
antiracist
evangelical
Lutheran
Hispanic-serving institution
first-year writing
information literacy
library
English
small liberal arts
antiracist
evangelical
Lutheran
Hispanic-serving institution
first-year writing
information literacy
library
English
small liberal arts
How to Cite
Mecenas, J., Wilber, Y., & Kwast, M. (2021). Antiracist and Faith-based: Critical Pedagogy-Informed Writing and Information Literacy Instruction at a Hispanic-Serving, Lutheran Liberal Arts University. Radical Teacher, 121, 14–23. https://doi.org/10.5195/rt.2021.901
Abstract
English faculty and librarians at a Hispanic-Serving Lutheran liberal arts university collaborated to integrate critical information literacy in a first-year writing course, following the Lutheran educational tradition of valuing inquiry and aligning with a faith-based social justice mission. The authors discuss an Evangelical Lutheran tradition of education committed to antiracism, and the challenges of enacting these values of equity and inclusion while addressing institutional racism. The authors also describe how curricular revisions in writing and information literacy instruction informed by critical pedagogy decentered whiteness in the curriculum, while creating needed opportunities for students and faculty to engage in cross-racial dialogue about systemic racism.
References
Works Cited
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https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Addressing-Social-Concerns
American Library Association. “Table Series A: 2009-2010 American Community Survey
Estimates Applied to Institute for Museum and Library Services and National Center for
Education Statistics Data.” Diversity Counts,
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/sites/ala.org.aboutala/files/content/diversity/diversitycounts/ diversitycountstables2012.pdf. Accessed 11 Feb. 2021.
“Anti-Racism at Cal Lutheran.” California Lutheran University,
https://www.callutheran.edu/anti-racism/progress/cabinet_july-22-2020.html. Accessed 27 Feb., 2021.
Biasotti, Tony. “Cal Lutheran Enhances Diversity Initiatives.” California Lutheran University,
27 Aug. 2020. www.callutheran.edu/news/story.html?id=14040#story.
Accessed 22 Feb. 2021.
Breda, Isabella. “Board of Regents to Address ‘Unrest on Campus.’” The Echo. 20 Feb. 2020.
https://cluecho.com/13039/news/board-of-regents-to-address-unrest-on-campus/
Accessed 22 Feb. 2021.
Caldwell, Joyce. Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, 2019, download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/ Slavery_Apology_Explanation.pdf?_ga=2.30252406.858766223.
1614468117-16763393111614468117. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
“CLU Receives $400,000 Irvine Foundation Grant for Diversity” California Lutheran University,
https://www.callutheran.edu/news/126.html#story. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
Coates, Ta-Nehisi. “The Case for Reparations.” The Atlantic, June 2014,
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.
College Conference on Composition & Communication. “Principles for the Postsecondary Teaching of Writing.” March 2015.
https://cccc.ncte.org/cccc/resources/positions/postsecondarywriting
Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
Elmborg, James. “Critical Information Literacy: Implications for Instructional Practice.”
The Journal of Academic Librarianship, vol. 32, no. 2, 2006, pp. 192-199,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2005.12.004. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
— “Foreword.” Critical Library Pedagogy Handbook: Vol. 1. Essays and
Workbook Activities, edited by Kelli McElroy and Nicole Pagowsky. Association of
College and Research Libraries, 2016, vii–xiii.
"Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education." American Library Association,
2 Feb. 2015, www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.
Hall, Tracie D. “The Black Body at the Reference Desk: Critical Race Theory and Black
Librarianship.” The 21st Century Black Librarian in America: Issues and Challenges,
edited by Andrew P. Jackson, Julius Jefferson, and Akilah Nosakhere. Scarecrow Press,
2012, 198.
Hudson, David James. “On “Diversity” as Anti-Racism in Library and Information Studies: A
Critique.” Journal of Critical Library and Information Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, 2017,
https://doi.org/10.24242/jclis.v1i1.6. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
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30 November 2020.
Inoue, Asao B. Antiracist Writing Assessment Ecologies Teaching and Assessing Writing for a
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Kynard, Carmen. “Administering While Black: Black Women’s Labor in the Academy and the
‘Position of the Unthought’” Black Perspectives in Writing Program Administration, edited by Staci Perryman-Clark and Collin Lamont Craig. National Council of Teachers of English, 2019, pp.28-50.
Ladson-Billings, Gloria. "Culturally Relevant Pedagogy 2.0: A.k.a. the Remix." Harvard Educational Review, vol. 84, no. 1, 2014, pp. 74-84,135. ProQuest, https://ezproxy.callutheran.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest- com.ezproxy.callutheran.edu/scholarly-journals/culturally-relevant-pedagogy-2-0-k- remix/docview/1511014412/se-2?accountid=9839.
“Mission and Vision.” Evangelical Lutheran Church of America,
https://www.elca.org/en/About/Mission-and-Vision. Accessed 22 Feb. 2021.
National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates. California Lutheran 2019 Administration
Report and Recommendation. USC Race and Equity Center, 2019. PDF file.
Pashia, Angela. “Examining Structural Oppression as a Component of Information Literacy:
A Call for Librarians to Support #BlackLivesMatter Through Our Teaching. Journal of
Information Literacy, vol. 11, no. 2, 2017, pp. 86-104,
http://dx.doi.org/10.11645/11.2.2245. Accessed 12 Feb. 2021.
Perryman-Clark, Staci and Collin Lamont Craig. Black Perspectives in Writing Program
Administration. National Council of Teachers of English, 2019.
— “Black Student Success Models: Institutional Profiles of Writing Programs.” Black Perspectives in Writing Program Administration. National Council of Teachers of English, 2019, pp.101-114.
Rudy, Julia, ed. "Campus Profile: California Lutheran University." Cause/Effect, vol. 19, no. 1,
1996. https://library.educause.edu/resources/1996/1/campus-profile-california-lutheran- university
Salguero, Emely. “The Right to a Racism-Free Education.” The Echo. 25 Feb. 2020.
https://cluecho.com/13094/opinion/the-right-to-a-racism-free-education/
Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.
Solberg, Richard W. "What Can the Lutheran Tradition Contribute to Higher Education?" Models for Christian Higher Education: Strategies for Survival and Success in the Twenty-first Century, edited by Richard Thomas Hughes and William B. Adrian. W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997, pp. 71-81.
Swanson, Byron R. and Margaret Barth Wold. "Faith and Learning at California Lutheran University." Models for Christian Higher Education: Strategies for Survival and Success in the Twenty-first Century, edited by Richard Thomas Hughes and William B. Adrian. W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997, pp.97-122.
Willis, Arlette Ingram and Lewis, Karla C. “Focus on Reseasrch: A Conversation with Gloria
Ladson-Billings.” Language Arts, vol.75, no.1, Jan. 1998,
https://library.ncte.org/journals/LA/issues/v75-1/3271. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
Winn, Maisha T. and Latrise P. Johnson. Writing Instruction in the Culturally Relevant
Classroom. National Council of Teachers of English, 2011.
“Addressing Social Concerns.” Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Addressing-Social-Concerns
American Library Association. “Table Series A: 2009-2010 American Community Survey
Estimates Applied to Institute for Museum and Library Services and National Center for
Education Statistics Data.” Diversity Counts,
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/sites/ala.org.aboutala/files/content/diversity/diversitycounts/ diversitycountstables2012.pdf. Accessed 11 Feb. 2021.
“Anti-Racism at Cal Lutheran.” California Lutheran University,
https://www.callutheran.edu/anti-racism/progress/cabinet_july-22-2020.html. Accessed 27 Feb., 2021.
Biasotti, Tony. “Cal Lutheran Enhances Diversity Initiatives.” California Lutheran University,
27 Aug. 2020. www.callutheran.edu/news/story.html?id=14040#story.
Accessed 22 Feb. 2021.
Breda, Isabella. “Board of Regents to Address ‘Unrest on Campus.’” The Echo. 20 Feb. 2020.
https://cluecho.com/13039/news/board-of-regents-to-address-unrest-on-campus/
Accessed 22 Feb. 2021.
Caldwell, Joyce. Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, 2019, download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/ Slavery_Apology_Explanation.pdf?_ga=2.30252406.858766223.
1614468117-16763393111614468117. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
“CLU Receives $400,000 Irvine Foundation Grant for Diversity” California Lutheran University,
https://www.callutheran.edu/news/126.html#story. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
Coates, Ta-Nehisi. “The Case for Reparations.” The Atlantic, June 2014,
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.
College Conference on Composition & Communication. “Principles for the Postsecondary Teaching of Writing.” March 2015.
https://cccc.ncte.org/cccc/resources/positions/postsecondarywriting
Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
Elmborg, James. “Critical Information Literacy: Implications for Instructional Practice.”
The Journal of Academic Librarianship, vol. 32, no. 2, 2006, pp. 192-199,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2005.12.004. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
— “Foreword.” Critical Library Pedagogy Handbook: Vol. 1. Essays and
Workbook Activities, edited by Kelli McElroy and Nicole Pagowsky. Association of
College and Research Libraries, 2016, vii–xiii.
"Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education." American Library Association,
2 Feb. 2015, www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.
Hall, Tracie D. “The Black Body at the Reference Desk: Critical Race Theory and Black
Librarianship.” The 21st Century Black Librarian in America: Issues and Challenges,
edited by Andrew P. Jackson, Julius Jefferson, and Akilah Nosakhere. Scarecrow Press,
2012, 198.
Hudson, David James. “On “Diversity” as Anti-Racism in Library and Information Studies: A
Critique.” Journal of Critical Library and Information Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, 2017,
https://doi.org/10.24242/jclis.v1i1.6. Accessed 5 Feb. 2021.
“Identity, Mission and Core Values.” callutheran.edu.
https://www.callutheran.edu/president/strategic-planning/identity-mission-values,
30 November 2020.
Inoue, Asao B. Antiracist Writing Assessment Ecologies Teaching and Assessing Writing for a
Socially Just Future. The WAC Clearinghouse and Parlor Press, 2015.
Kynard, Carmen. “Administering While Black: Black Women’s Labor in the Academy and the
‘Position of the Unthought’” Black Perspectives in Writing Program Administration, edited by Staci Perryman-Clark and Collin Lamont Craig. National Council of Teachers of English, 2019, pp.28-50.
Ladson-Billings, Gloria. "Culturally Relevant Pedagogy 2.0: A.k.a. the Remix." Harvard Educational Review, vol. 84, no. 1, 2014, pp. 74-84,135. ProQuest, https://ezproxy.callutheran.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest- com.ezproxy.callutheran.edu/scholarly-journals/culturally-relevant-pedagogy-2-0-k- remix/docview/1511014412/se-2?accountid=9839.
“Mission and Vision.” Evangelical Lutheran Church of America,
https://www.elca.org/en/About/Mission-and-Vision. Accessed 22 Feb. 2021.
National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates. California Lutheran 2019 Administration
Report and Recommendation. USC Race and Equity Center, 2019. PDF file.
Pashia, Angela. “Examining Structural Oppression as a Component of Information Literacy:
A Call for Librarians to Support #BlackLivesMatter Through Our Teaching. Journal of
Information Literacy, vol. 11, no. 2, 2017, pp. 86-104,
http://dx.doi.org/10.11645/11.2.2245. Accessed 12 Feb. 2021.
Perryman-Clark, Staci and Collin Lamont Craig. Black Perspectives in Writing Program
Administration. National Council of Teachers of English, 2019.
— “Black Student Success Models: Institutional Profiles of Writing Programs.” Black Perspectives in Writing Program Administration. National Council of Teachers of English, 2019, pp.101-114.
Rudy, Julia, ed. "Campus Profile: California Lutheran University." Cause/Effect, vol. 19, no. 1,
1996. https://library.educause.edu/resources/1996/1/campus-profile-california-lutheran- university
Salguero, Emely. “The Right to a Racism-Free Education.” The Echo. 25 Feb. 2020.
https://cluecho.com/13094/opinion/the-right-to-a-racism-free-education/
Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.
Solberg, Richard W. "What Can the Lutheran Tradition Contribute to Higher Education?" Models for Christian Higher Education: Strategies for Survival and Success in the Twenty-first Century, edited by Richard Thomas Hughes and William B. Adrian. W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997, pp. 71-81.
Swanson, Byron R. and Margaret Barth Wold. "Faith and Learning at California Lutheran University." Models for Christian Higher Education: Strategies for Survival and Success in the Twenty-first Century, edited by Richard Thomas Hughes and William B. Adrian. W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997, pp.97-122.
Willis, Arlette Ingram and Lewis, Karla C. “Focus on Reseasrch: A Conversation with Gloria
Ladson-Billings.” Language Arts, vol.75, no.1, Jan. 1998,
https://library.ncte.org/journals/LA/issues/v75-1/3271. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
Winn, Maisha T. and Latrise P. Johnson. Writing Instruction in the Culturally Relevant
Classroom. National Council of Teachers of English, 2011.