Decolonisation, Anti-Racism, and Legal Pedagogy: Strategies, Successes, and Challenges

The book offers a novel and timely contribution to current discussions around decolonizing the curriculum and represents a timely and much-needed conversation among law school educators, administrators, decolonizing researchers, and scholars. It reflects an increasing number of pedagogies that seek to critique the dominant thinking and Eurocentrism of most law school education.

Format: Hardback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A novel and timely contribution to the ongoing discussions surrounding decolonizing the curriculum, this work stands as a crucial and much-needed dialogue among law school educators, administrators, decolonizing researchers, and scholars. Reflective of an increasing number of pedagogies that aim to critique the dominant thinking and Eurocentrism prevalent in most law school education, this contribution offers valuable insights and perspectives that contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity in legal education.

The decolonizing of the curriculum is a critical and ongoing process that requires a multifaceted approach. It involves challenging the dominant narratives and perspectives that have shaped legal education for centuries and promoting a more inclusive and diverse curriculum that reflects the rich diversity of the world. This requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to promoting equity and inclusivity in all aspects of legal education, from the classroom to the curriculum to the faculty and staff.

One of the key challenges in decolonizing the curriculum is the prevalence of Eurocentrism. Eurocentrism refers to the belief that Western culture and civilization are superior to other cultures and civilizations, and that their perspectives and experiences should be the dominant ones in the curriculum. This belief has led to a lack of representation and recognition of the diverse experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities, such as Indigenous peoples, people of color, and women.

To address this challenge, law school educators and administrators must work to promote a more inclusive and diverse curriculum that incorporates the perspectives and experiences of marginalized communities. This can be achieved through a variety of strategies, such as incorporating more diverse readings and materials, hiring more diverse faculty and staff, and promoting interdisciplinary approaches to legal education that draw on the expertise of a range of disciplines.

In addition to promoting a more inclusive curriculum, decolonizing the curriculum also involves challenging the dominant narratives and perspectives that have shaped legal education for centuries. This involves promoting a more critical and nuanced understanding of the law and legal systems, and promoting a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to legal education that recognizes the interconnectedness of social, economic, and political issues.

One of the key strategies for challenging the dominant narratives and perspectives is to promote the use of critical legal theory and feminist legal theory. Critical legal theory is a framework that examines the power and influence of law and legal institutions, and how they perpetuate social and economic inequality. Feminist legal theory is a framework that examines the experiences and perspectives of women and marginalized communities, and how they have been marginalized and oppressed by the law.

By promoting the use of critical legal theory and feminist legal theory, law school educators and administrators can help to promote a more inclusive and diverse curriculum that recognizes the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities. This can help to promote a more equitable and just legal system that serves the needs of all communities, rather than just a privileged few.

In conclusion, the decolonizing of the curriculum is a critical and ongoing process that requires a multifaceted approach. It involves challenging the dominant narratives and perspectives that have shaped legal education for centuries and promoting a more inclusive and diverse curriculum that reflects the rich diversity of the world. This requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to promoting equity and inclusivity in all aspects of legal education, from the classroom to the curriculum to the faculty and staff. By promoting a more inclusive and diverse curriculum, law school educators and administrators can help to promote a more equitable and just legal system that serves the needs of all communities, rather than just a privileged few.

Weight: 710g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032503097