Reshaping the University (Paperback)

Rauna Kuokkanen

ISBN 10: 0774813571 / ISBN 13: 9780774813570

Published by University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver, 2008

About this Item

Paperback. In the past few decades, the narrow intellectual foundations of the university have come under serious scrutiny. Previously marginalized groups have called for improved access to the institution and full inclusion in the curriculum. Reshaping the University is a timely, thorough, and original interrogation of academic practices. It moves beyond current analyses of cultural conflicts and discrimination in academic institutions to provide an indigenous postcolonial critique of the modern university. Rauna Kuokkanen argues that attempts by universities to be inclusive are unsuccessful because they do not embrace indigenous worldviews. Programs established to act as bridges between mainstream and indigenous cultures ignore their ontological and epistemic differences and, while offering support and assistance, place the responsibility of adapting wholly on the student. Indigenous students and staff are expected to leave behind their cultural perspectives and epistemes in order to adopt Western values. Reshaping the University advocates a radical shift in the approach to cultural conflicts within the academy and proposes a new logic, grounded in principles central to indigenous philosophies. Providing a postcolonial critique of the modern university, this book argues that attempts by universities to be inclusive are unsuccessful because they do not embrace indigenous worldviews. It advocates a shift in the approach to cultural conflicts within the academy and proposes a logic, grounded in principles central to indigenous philosophies. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780774813570

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Reshaping the University (Paperback)
• Publisher: University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver
• Publication Date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0774813571
• ISBN 13: 9780774813570
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

In the past few decades, the narrow intellectual foundations of the university have come under serious scrutiny. Previously marginalized groups have called for improved access to the institution and full inclusion in the curriculum. Reshaping the University is a timely, thorough, and original interrogation of academic practices. It moves beyond current analyses of cultural conflicts and discrimination in academic institutions to provide an indigenous postcolonial critique of the modern university.

Rauna Kuokkanen argues that attempts by universities to be inclusive are unsuccessful because they do not embrace indigenous worldviews. Programs established to act as bridges between mainstream and indigenous cultures ignore their ontological and epistemic differences and, while offering support and assistance, place the responsibility of adapting wholly on the student. Indigenous students and staff are expected to leave behind their cultural perspectives and epistemes in order to adopt Western values. Reshaping the University advocates a radical shift in the approach to cultural conflicts within the academy and proposes a new logic, grounded in principles central to indigenous philosophies.

About the Author

Rauna Kuokkanen is an associate professor of education and indigenous studies at Sami University College, Kautokeino, Norway.