{"title":"Deep Transformation toward Decoloniality in Social Work: Themes for Change in a Social Work Higher Education Program","authors":"Linda Harms Smith, Shahana Rasool","doi":"10.1080/10428232.2020.1762295","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This article describes thematic outcomes of a process of engagement around deep transformation toward Decoloniality in a university social work education program. Given the gravity of working toward Decoloniality for social work education in South Africa, it was critical to theorize about this process. Current South African realities evidence ongoing structures of Coloniality and Apartheid which permeate all spheres, not least the domains of knowledge, power, and relationships in higher education. However, a narrow interpretation of Decoloniality relating only to ‘curriculum’ or ‘indigeneity’ as potential for change, is problematic. Ignoring material realities of ongoing Coloniality perpetuates the very oppressive structures it seeks to overcome and so depth transformation which engages with all levels of a social work education program is required. This article engages with thematic areas that emerged and which shaped work toward Decoloniality, among social work educators at one higher education department. These included domains for engagement with Decoloniality (theorists; pedagogy; educators; learners; content; research and discourse; context) and principles for such work (Afrika as the center; attention to power dynamics; race, class, and gender; acknowledgment of structural issues; critical conscientization and voice; Ubuntu). These thematic areas now form the basis of the new social work program at the University.","PeriodicalId":44255,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Progressive Human Services","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2020-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/10428232.2020.1762295","citationCount":"7","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Progressive Human Services","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10428232.2020.1762295","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"SOCIAL WORK","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 7
Abstract
ABSTRACT This article describes thematic outcomes of a process of engagement around deep transformation toward Decoloniality in a university social work education program. Given the gravity of working toward Decoloniality for social work education in South Africa, it was critical to theorize about this process. Current South African realities evidence ongoing structures of Coloniality and Apartheid which permeate all spheres, not least the domains of knowledge, power, and relationships in higher education. However, a narrow interpretation of Decoloniality relating only to ‘curriculum’ or ‘indigeneity’ as potential for change, is problematic. Ignoring material realities of ongoing Coloniality perpetuates the very oppressive structures it seeks to overcome and so depth transformation which engages with all levels of a social work education program is required. This article engages with thematic areas that emerged and which shaped work toward Decoloniality, among social work educators at one higher education department. These included domains for engagement with Decoloniality (theorists; pedagogy; educators; learners; content; research and discourse; context) and principles for such work (Afrika as the center; attention to power dynamics; race, class, and gender; acknowledgment of structural issues; critical conscientization and voice; Ubuntu). These thematic areas now form the basis of the new social work program at the University.
期刊介绍:
The only journal of its kind in the United States, the Journal of Progressive Human Services covers political, social, personal, and professional problems in human services from a progressive perspective. The journal stimulates debate about major social issues and contributes to the development of the analytical tools needed for building a caring society based on equality and justice. The journal"s contributors examine oppressed and vulnerable groups, struggles by workers and clients on the job and in the community, dilemmas of practice in conservative contexts, and strategies for ending racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, and discrimination of persons who are disabled and psychologically distressed.