Over the rainbow: the role of academics in a 'post-hope' South Africa. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dodd, Nicole; Merwe, Justin Van Der
• Is Part Of: International journal of education economics and development. Volume 8:Number 2/3(2017)
• Page Start: 133
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: critical pragmatism -- critical theory -- decolonisation -- higher education -- paradigms -- pragmatism -- South Africa; Education -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; 338.473705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-5673

Abstract

The proponents of decolonisation in South Africa's higher education system have tended to overlook the usefulness of critical pragmatism as a guiding paradigm. This article explores the merits of critical pragmatism as a suitable research orientation to resolve the current impasse in South Africa's higher education system. While the arguments for decolonising curricula and academic spaces are valid and credible, promoting decolonisation in a blindly ideological manner, without a sound basis, could be impractical. This article argues that the adoption of critical pragmatism would allow for the achievement of a home-grown, credible research paradigm which encourages researchers to apply a context-specific orientation within developing environments. The article tentatively proposes that blending critical theory with pragmatism would support transformation and development while still maintaining scientific rigour.