Challenging Perceptions of Africa in Schools
Critical Approaches to Global Justice Education
Language
EnglishAbstract
This book challenges educational discourse in relation to teaching about Africa at all levels of the education system in the Global North, with a specific case study focusing on the Republic of Ireland. The book provides an interrogation of the proliferation of negative imagery of and messages about African people and African countries and the impact of this on the attitudes and perceptions of children and young people. It explores how predominantly negative stereotyping can be challenged in classrooms through an educational approach grounded in principles of solidarity, interdependence, and social justice.
The book focuses on the premise that existing educational narratives about the African continent and African people are rooted in a preponderance of racialised perceptions: an ‘impoverished’ continent dependent on the ‘benevolence’ of the North. The cycle of negativity engendered as a result of such portrayals cannot be broken until educators engage with these matters and bring critical and inquiry-based pedagogies into classrooms. Insights into three key pedagogical areas are provided – active unlearning, translating critical thinking into meaningful action, and developing a race consciousness.
This book will appeal to academics, researchers, and post-graduate students in the fields of education and teacher education. It will be of interest to those involved in youth work, as well as intercultural and global citizenship youth trainers.
Keywords
Primary Geography Education;Light Year IP;trade justice;Pop Star;global citizenship education;Coffee Wilt Disease;primary school pedagogy;International Service Learning;critical intercultural education;White Saviour Complex;Global North;Greater Intercultural Sensitivity;Global South;UK Supermarket;images of Africa;Hegemonic Knowledge System;African countries;Educational Materials;active unlearning;Intercultural Education;meaningful action;Praxis Suggestions;race consciousness;Endline DataDOI
10.4324/9780429467127ISBN
9781138607576, 9780429883682, 9781032082547, 9780429883675, 9780429467127, 9780429883699Publisher
Taylor & FrancisPublisher website
https://taylorandfrancis.com/Publication date and place
2020Imprint
RoutledgeSeries
Routledge Research in Education,Classification
Primary and middle schools
Teacher training
Moral and social purpose of education
Educational strategies and policy