UW–Madison’s Michael Olneck, a professor emeritus in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Policy Studies, is the author of a new book titled, “Culture Wars in American Education: Past and Present Struggles Over the Symbolic Order.”
In this work, Olneck questions the norms and values embedded within U.S. education, exploring whether they contribute to recurring “culture wars” in our schools. He believes that the focus on individualism in American society makes it harder to bring about meaningful change.
Critics have offered praise for Olneck’s work, highlighting its critical and historical perspective.
“Michael Olneck has written a very important and insightful book that helps the educator and general reader understand the meaning of the ‘Culture Wars’ and their corrosive impact on education,” writes Cameron McCarthy, a University Scholar and former director of global studies in education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Zoë Burkholder, professor of educational foundations at Montclair State University, describes Olneck’s work as “essential reading for anyone who wants to make sense of culture wars over teaching about race, gender, and social inequality in American public schools.”
Learn more about this book.