Globalization, Mission, and the Latest Development of Critical Educational Studies: An Interview with Professor Michael W. Apple

Globalization is the third stage in the development of Professor Apple’s critical educational studies, which is also called “the third trilogy.” In this interview, Professor Apple first elaborated on the reasons for his taking globalization into account. Then, he told the story of the family and social missions he had undertaken as a critical scholar/activist. Finally, he introduced the latest developments in critical educational studies, claiming that critical educational studies are now in a period of transition because many studies are quite fragmented. The solution to this problem is what he called the theory of “decentered unities.” He suggested that critical scholars should pay more attention to intersectionality. When they are examining the various dynamics, they should try to look at the interconnections of all these dynamics.