Abstract

This thesis explores the possibility of reshaping higher education to make it speak to all individuals, regardless of gender, economic background or ethnic affiliation. By taking as a given that higher education currently speaks the language of science and rationalism as a universal, another language is introduced: the language of passion. Where the language of science is exclusive, the language of passion is liberating in that it accepts as valid, a diversity of approaches and perspectives to becoming "knowledgeable." The current trend in education can be limiting and alienating to women and others who cannot or do not learn to their full potential within a teaching framework that only validates factual, quantitative data, and devalues thought that comes out of ambiguity. ;Current data on higher education is introduced and followed by a critique of conservative scholars, approaches to changing the educational process. From this point, liberation educators are introduced through the lens of liberation theology, which is a discipline that has heavily influenced this movement. The language of passion is discussed, as is examples of passionate teachers who use this language to transform and empower their students. ;The conclusion found is that it is indeed possible to introduce a language to replace the language of scientism. We can even visualize what it can be and what it can possibly do. However, any revolutionary idea is captive and subject to its particular time and place in history. It seems apparent that this transformation is slowly emerging across the different disciplines, but whether it can take hold and reshape higher education will depend on how the political scale swings