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Education General

Reshaping the University

Responsibility, Indigenous Epistemes, and the Logic of the Gift

by (author) Rauna Kuokkanen

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
Nov 2011
Category
General, Native American Studies, Minority Studies, Discrimination & Race Relations
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774840842
    Publish Date
    Nov 2011
    List Price
    $34.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780774813570
    Publish Date
    Jan 2008
    List Price
    $34.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780774813563
    Publish Date
    May 2007
    List Price
    $37.95

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Description

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

Contributor Notes

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

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