Stellenbosch University Courses

Teaching for Change: An African Philosophical Approach

4.5

##African philosophy of education has emerged as an educational challenge for many involved in contemporary education. In this course you’ll learn more about this philosophy, why it’s being examined, how it potentially responds to teaching and learning and what can be done to improve education in a just manner. Our focus on pedagogical encounters (more specifically teaching and learning) is one way in which we contend major problems on the continent can be resolved educationally.Analysing African philosophy of educationTo understand the nature of African philosophy education first we will examine its primary aspects: that is, interpreting its underlying philosophy of education. You’ll develop your critical capacities and skills as we explore these ideas and elucidate work from different African philosophers in relation to education. Our contention is that African philosophy of education has something to offer in order to resolve major problems on the continent.Understanding and being responsive to the education from an African perspectiveBy using selected case studies and conceptual clarifications in relation to landmark events in recent African history, you’ll learn about how education in Africa currently unfolds in particular regarding the challenges that confront it. You’ll also get a sense of the problems the African continent faces and then how African philosophy of education can be used to respond to these problems.Learning about achieving justice in AfricaAfrican societies are often characterised by high levels of inequality, poverty, human suffering and inhumanity. In the final part of the course we’ll contemplate as to how these problems might be resolved with the application of different spheres of justice, namely, moral, compassionate and restorative - those educational aspects of justice that has emerged as significant action concepts to minimise and alleviate human contestation, insecurity and suffering.There are no special requirements for this course but an interest in education, philosophy or Africa might be beneficial.