Philip, Thomas M.Sengupta, Pratim2020-09-152020-09-152020-09-14Philip, T. M., & Sengupta, P. (2020). Theories of Learning as Theories of Society: A Contrapuntal Approach to Expanding Disciplinary Authenticity in Computing. "Journal of the Learning Sciences". pp. 1-20.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112532To appear in: Journal of the Learning SciencesBackground: We outline a case for how the Learning Sciences is at a powerful inflection point where the “real world” needs to be seen as comprised of the political entities and processes in which learning happens. We seek to sharpen the principle that learning is political by elucidating historical and contemporary processes of European and U.S. imperialism that remain foundational to our field and developing the argument that theories of learning are theories of society. Methods: Through a contrapuntal approach, which emphasizes a critical lens to analyze empire, we juxtapose notions of authentic practice in computing education with scholarship in sociology that brings the lives of tech industry immigrant workers to the fore. Findings: Our analysis reveals how the social construction of disciplinary and professional expertise in computing is intricately interwoven with historically persistent patterns of the appropriation of lives and labor of endarkened people through systems of transnational migration and institutional forms of racial segregation. Contributions: A contrapuntal lens in the learning sciences prompts our field to embrace the necessary uncertainties and the theoretical and methodological possibilities that emerge when sites of learning and learning itself are recognized as political and as contestations of empire.Unless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.journal article