Colloq at noon, 30. Oktober 2024: "The ability to study as a social construct: A socio-critical perspective" by Magdalena Fellner

Lecture by Dr. Magdalena Fellner, Universität Kassel, International Center for Higehr Education Research

Abstract:

In her historical comparative study, Magdalena Fellner examines the machinations that have influenced the meanings and attributions of the concept of »ability to study« from the beginnings of university history to the present day. If potential students do not meet the requirements set by the ruling elite of the time, this results in the exclusion of certain social groups, thereby maintaining a hierarchical class society. It becomes evident that the traditional concept of study ability contains inherent issues that reinforce social inequalities rather than mitigating them. Through theoretical and empirical analyses, the study illustrates the dynamics between normative expectations as well as collective and individual lifeworlds. Ultimately, based on these analyses, the study proposes a reconceptualization of the concept of »the ability to study« from a relational perspective.

Dr. Magdalena Fellner is Senior Researcher in the research area ‘Students and Graduates’ at the International Center for Higher Education Research (INCHER), University of Kassel. She is Post-Doc Track Fellow of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). Her main research interests concern education and social inequality, widening participation, student equity, recognition of prior learning, and community engagement of students. She is particularly interested in analyzing the manifold connections between education, educational institutions and social inequality.

The INCHER lectures in winter semester 2024 are hybrid events.
If you wish to participate via Zoom please register at koch[at]incher.uni-kassel[dot]de

Venue: INCHER, University of Kassel, meeting room 4102, Mönchebergstraße 17
34125 Kassel