Critical Multivocality: A Pedagogy for Exploring Controversial Issues About Israel/Palestine in the Classroom

This article puts forth a conceptual framework for teaching about Israel/Palestine in the political science classroom. Termed the Critical Multivocality model, this pedagogy focuses on the intersection of three core pedagogic practices: crafting essential questions, critically analyzing competing perspectives, and inviting student reflection. Drawing on existing educational theory and my own experience as a practitioner, I explore why these elements—when combined—can cultivate inclusive, critical learning environments for students to examine Israel/Palestine from multiple perspectives and the various power relationships between them. This article offers insights about, reflections on, and examples of, how to employ the model’s three core elements in a higher education setting.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Political Science Education
Published
2026-07-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/15512169.2026.2704212
Primary Topic
Jewish Identity and Society
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Critical Multivocality: A Pedagogy for Exploring Controversial Issues About Israel/Palestine in the Classroom

Lauren Cohen
Journal of Political Science Education
Jewish Identity and Society
article

Critical Multivocality: A Pedagogy for Exploring Controversial Issues About Israel/Palestine in the Classroom

Lauren Cohen
article en

Abstract

This article puts forth a conceptual framework for teaching about Israel/Palestine in the political science classroom. Termed the Critical Multivocality model, this pedagogy focuses on the intersection of three core pedagogic practices: crafting essential questions, critically analyzing competing perspectives, and inviting student reflection. Drawing on existing educational theory and my own experience as a practitioner, I explore why these elements—when combined—can cultivate inclusive, critical learning environments for students to examine Israel/Palestine from multiple perspectives and the various power relationships between them. This article offers insights about, reflections on, and examples of, how to employ the model’s three core elements in a higher education setting.

Journal of Political Science Education
Colby College (US), Lesley University (US)
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Jewish Identity and Society
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