Emotion and education introduction

Cultural phenomena, such as the death and funeral of Princess Diana, have fuelled perceptions that we, particularly in the West, are becoming increasingly open to public displays of emotion. Interest in emotion as a cultural phenomena also has its correlation in an increasing interest in the role of emotion within education. However, there are also concerns being expressed by commentators on culture and education that the emphasis on emotion may be leading to a therapy culture in which Higher Education privileges the vulnerability of students, particularly those from a non-traditional background, over the need to encourage a rational, academic approach to learning. This section of the paper will explore what might be meant by emotion, where it is important to learning and argues that any approaches to emotion in learning should take cogniscance of the need for an academic approach which encourages learning and teaching that recognises the needs of all students. More.... 

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