Post-Truth’s Assault on America’s Schools and Colleges

Post-Truth’s Assault on America’s Schools and Colleges presents a wide-ranging analysis of the psychological, historical, philosophical, and socio-political perspectives on how the post-truth age has become a serious peril to American life and polity in general, and to our schools and colleges in particular. Confirmation bias, religious and political fanaticism (e.g., White Christian nationalism), and disinformation and propaganda (especially in social media) are among the main currents in American culture that are examined in detail through the lenses of critical social theory, critical race theory, analytic philosophy, and qualitative research methods.

Particular attention is given to those states most in danger. Today’s P-12 schools and post-secondary education face serious attacks on various fronts: outrageous book bans; efforts to distort curricula (especially in English, history, and social studies); attempts to denigrate and undermine women, Black Americans, Jewish Americans, children, LGBTQ+ citizens amongst, others, while avowing authoritarian agendas that endanger freedom and democratic governance. Education, at every level, should play a major role in combating this existential assault on the substance - indeed, the soul - of America.

It is hoped that this book will provide hope for those who are fighting the assault on truth in school and society and will spur readers to engage in more concerned civic reflection - and action. It is critically relevant for everyone who is deeply interested in America’s political and educational systems. It will be particularly useful for teachers and administrators in P-12 schools; college faculty and staff; and undergraduate and graduate students in teacher education, higher education, and the social sciences.

Joseph L. DeVitis is a retired professor of social foundations of education and higher education. A prolific scholar and public intellectual, he is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.