Academic writing from the perspective of critical pedagogy: A form of resistance to neoliberal ideology in higher education

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to introduce, by pointing out the great influence of the ideology of neoliberalism on certain transformations of modern educational policies, the possible forms of resistance to these policies, relying on the framework of critical pedagogy and focusing on the practice of academic writing on the level of university education. I begin with the premise that it is of vital importance for true democracy that the university becomes and remains the area of emancipation and freedom, not just academic freedom but also freedom of the wider social community. I proceed to explain how and why neoliberalism jeopardizes this important social-historical role of the university. I suggest the principles and agenda of critical pedagogy as a form of resistance to the spread of these harmful policies at the university. In the end, I present the concept of academic writing based on the principles of solidarity and collaboration as an important element of redefining academic practices in accordance with the requirements of critical pedagogy, for the sake of preservation of the humanistic bases of university education.