You Had Me at Foucault: Living Pedagogically in the Digital Age

Abstract

This essay examines the role of technology and social media in the performance of decentered heteronormative bodily and pedagogical power. Today's teaching spaces occupy traditional, physical outlets but also imaginary, online gathering places such as blogs, Twitter, and Facebook that have become extensions of our pedagogical bodies. I argue that feminism and queer theory—united by Foucault's upheaval of norms—provide critical sites to engage this discussion. Where feminism has become accessible inside and outside the classroom, resistance to queer theory persists. I share some of my own experiences with bodily ambiguity via teaching and living with social media that I hope can bridge the accessibility gap to move toward an emancipatory theory of pedagogical bodies in the digital age.

Keywords:

• Feminism
• Queer Theory
• Heteronormativity
• Embodiment
• Online Learning
• Social Media

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Danielle M. Stern

Danielle M. Stern is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Christopher Newport University