Decolonising the Curriculum

The Community of Expertise: Decolonising the Curriculum (CommExp: Decolonise) was founded, with the support of CELT, to address a growing issue in Higher Education: principally, the exclusion of Black and minority Ethnic people and perspectives from university course curricula. It is being brought to people's attention how much the discourse around subjects is dominated by white (especially male, and often dead) people and their perspectives.

This has the effect of promoting a narrow, predominately Western, perspective of subjects to students. It also means that Black and minority Ethnic students rarely see their lives and perspectives reflected in course material. This can be conveyed through reading lists dominated by the aforementioned white authors. But extends to conceptual, philosophical and historical ideas which are derived from the experiences and thoughts of white people while ignoring their effects on Black and minority Ethnic people. 

The other aspect to Decolonising the Curriculum considers the effects of internal colonisation and the effects of this othering peoples, often within the same ethnic group, but who are nonetheless discriminated against by a colonial power and its prevailing perspectives and narratives.

Addressing this issue isn't just about righting an historic wrong. It's about exposing all our students to a broader range of ideas, perspectives, narratives and contexts, to help them see beyond the bounds of their own cultural milieu. This can only help provide them with a better informed, wider view of their subject, the world at large and the lived experiences of others. 

In other institutions the movement to Decolonise the Curriculum is being lead by students, such as, the Rhodes Must Fall movement at the University of Oxford. At USW however academics of all ethnicities, from across the institution, are taking the lead in decolonising USW's curricula; while recognising the importance of the students' voice in this.

Members of CommExp: Decolonise (academic and professional) have been sharing experiences, knowledge and good practice in Decolonising the Curriculum. They have been collaborating to find new and effective ways to bring a broader range of views to curricula. You may have already started the process of decolonising your curriculum, or keen to embark upon this process. Either way please feel free to join the community, share experiences and knowledge, get inspired and collaborate with others on ways to approach the task.

Community members can share content and collaborate using the dedicated, private CommExp: Decolonise SharePoint site (new or prospective Community members can follow the link to request access to this site). 

If you would like to delve deeper into the subject, we have a Decolonising the Curriculum reading list with ~50 books, articles and papers.

If you're a USW colleague or student involved in decolonisation, join us!