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Adult Education and the Social Economy: Re-thinking the Communitarian Pedagogy of Watson Thomson

Last Updated on April 19th, 2010

 

Project Title: Adult Education and the Social Economy: Re-thinking the Communitarian Pedagogy of Watson Thomson

Project Number: CL5-11

Term of Project: June 2006 to June 2008

Status: Completed

Academic Researcher:

• Howard Woodhouse, University of Saskatchewan (Academic Supervisor)

Student Researcher:

• Michael Chartier, University of Saskatchewan (MA scholarship student)

Community Researchers:

Community Partner:

Project Summary:

In late 1944, Watson Thomson, a Scottish-born educator, organized and directed a Saskatchewan-wide adult education division. With similarities to the earlier Antigonish Movement in Nova Scotia, the program attempted to facilitate the formation of a network of co-operative enterprises aimed at the cultural, social and economic development of the Canadian Prairies. It is my contention that the reclamation of Thomson’s educational framework, as described and contextualized through the story of Saskatchewan’s Adult Education Division, can provide effective methodological consideration for contemporary adult education.

Specific Project-Level Research Objectives:

• To provide an in-depth narrative of the activities of the Saskatchewan Adult Education Division throughout 1945
• To provide an in-depth analysis of the Personalist philosophy of Watson Thomson
• To isolate and standardize a pedagogical framework based on Thomson’s educational activities and Personalisme
• To discuss the application of Thomson’s framework to contemporary adult education initiatives and opportunities

Expected Deliverables:

1. MA Thesis
2. One academic conference presentation

Findings to Date:

Thomson’s philosophy is based on a combination of Guild Socialism, Adlerian Physchology, and Monetary Reform. The Saskatchewan Adult Education Division had helped with the development of nearly a hundred community-based study groups and enterprises by the time Thomson was forced to resign.

Project Poster: Poster (pdf)

Final Report: Final Report (pdf)

Projected Expenditures: $12,000 (Graduate Scholarship)

In-Kind Contributions:

Publicity:

Dissemination Activities:

1. Seminar Presentation by Michael Chartier (winner of the 2008 F.J.H. Fredeen Memorial Scholarship) / F.J.H. Fredeen Memorial Scholarship Seminar sponsored by the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives at the Diefenbaker Centre, University of Saskatchewan on December 11, 2008.
   

Additional Notes:

Member of the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships

Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada / Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada

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