Conscientisation and Liberation Theology
Conscientisation (Paulo Freire's concept) is the process of developing critical consciousness of oppression and one's capacity for liberation. Applied to theology by liberation theologians, it involves education raising awareness of injustice and mobilizing communities toward social transformation.
Real World
Paulo Freire's literacy programmes in northeast Brazil in the 1960s taught peasants to read by discussing their own social conditions, making them conscious of structural oppression rather than simply teaching them the alphabet.
Exam Focus
Define conscientisation precisely as critical consciousness-raising, not mere education; contrast it with Freire's 'banking' model to demonstrate analytical depth.
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