The Bohemian Curriculum: Expanding Consciousness, Evolving Culture

Abstract

Through an exploration of bohemian character and ideology, I examine the relationship between the construction of individual identity and an individual’s membership in multiple cultural groups. In particular, I examine a theory of cultural association that positions the individual within nested and overlapping cultures, where identity and self-narrative are defined in relation to cultural normativities. I assert that it is this position amongst various cultures that enables individuals to critically examine and broker juxtaposing normativities, a process with the potential to push individuals to rewrite their self-narratives and expand consciousness. But bohemians go further––they outwardly express their opposition of mainstream culture and publicize their self-narratives. By engaging in a community of creative minds, these ‘outsiders’ contribute in unique ways to the evolution of culture by challenging social affordances and pushing social limitations. Drawing upon the lessons learned from bohemianism, the paper concludes with an explicit link to education.  Specifically, the bohemian curriculum calls for a pedagogy that allows for the brokering of normativities within a safe and compassionate learning space that embraces unique learning at both individual and collective levels.