The hidden presence of religiosity in teaching practice

Author(s)

Gabriela Abuhab Valente

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Educação (FE/SBD)
• Defense date: 2015-06-24

Examining board members

Maria da Graca Jacintho Setton; Elisa Rodrigues; Marcelo Gustavo Andrade de Souza

• Advisor: Maria da Graca Jacintho Setton

Abstract

This research aims at identifying and analyzing the presence of religiosity in public schools through observing diffuse strategies and mechanisms. The hypothesis that we worked with was that religiosity is present in Brazilian public scholar institutions in a veiled and naturalized way. In order to contextualize the religiosity in a public space, it was made necessary to note this phenomenon in the Brazilian society and how its individuals realize their religiosity(ies). In order to reach our objectives, a case study was done in a municipal public school in Santo André city (São Paulo). Using many methodological resources inspired in the ethnographic methodology and built from the notion of scholar culture (FORQUIN, 1993), the profiles of two teachers were elaborated targeting their teaching practice. In the direction of categorizing the teaching practice, we used the notion of belief (BOURDIEU, 2001). The first conclusion was that the configuration of individuals beliefs establishes the teaching practice, including religious beliefs, due to an absence of control or limits of these practices. Consequently, the religiosity is not only present in teaching practice, but also it influences the childrens process of socialization. The last conclusion was that the presence of religiosity in public schools is verified in a hidden way, because without sociological tools it looks as if it was absent. Indeed, this invisibility is what legitimizes and maintains the religiosity in public schools. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/23023-3 - The hidden presence of religiosity in the teaching practice
• Grantee: Gabriela Abuhab Valente
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master