The potential of critical race theory in decolonizing university curricula

This paper critiques our experiences as non-Indigenous Australian educators of working with numerous embedding Indigenous perspectives curricular projects at an Australian university. Reporting on these project outcomes alone, while useful in identifying limitations, does not illustrate ways in which future embedding and decolonising projects can persist and evolve. Deeper analysis is required of the ways in which Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are perceived, and what ‘embedding’ IK in university curricula truly means to various educational stakeholders. To achieve a deeper analysis and propose ways to invigorate the continuing decolonisation of Australian university curricula, this paper critically interrogates the methodology and conceptualisation of Indigenous knowledge in embedding Indigenous perspectives (EIP) in the university curriculum using tenets of critical race theory. Accordingly, we conduct this analysis from the standpoint that EIP should not subscribe to the luxury of independence of scholarship from politics and activism. The learning objective is to create a space to legitimise politics in the intellectual / academic realm (Dei, 2008, p. 10). We conclude by arguing that critical race theory’s emancipatory, future and action-oriented goals for curricula (Dei, 2008) would enhance effective and sustainable embedding initiatives, and ultimately, preventing such initiatives from returning to the status quo (McLaughlin & Whatman, 2008).

Christos C. Tsagalis. The Oral Palimsest. Exploring Intertextuality in the Homeric Epics. Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, England, 2008, ix+325 pp.

Fil: Zecchin de Fasano, Graciela Cristina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

C. Dué. Homeric Variations on a Lament by Briseis . Greek Studies: Interdisciplinary Approaches, Series Editor: G. Nagy, Harvard University, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Lanham, 2002, xi+141 pp.

Fil: Zecchin de Fasano, Graciela Cristina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Charles Segal. Sophocles' Tragic World. Divinity, Nature. Sociery. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 1998, XII + 276 pp.

Fil: Nelli, María Florencia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

X. Riu, Dionysism and Comedy, Greek Studies: Interdisciplinary Approaches, Series Editor: G. Nagy, Harvard University, Rowman and Litkefield Publishers, Inc. Maryland, 1999, vii+294 pp.

Fil: Zecchin de Fasano, Graciela Cristina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Christos C. Tsagalis. The Oral Palimsest. Exploring Intertextuality in the Homeric Epics. Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, England, 2008, ix+325 pp.

Fil: Zecchin de Fasano, Graciela Cristina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

C. Dué. Homeric Variations on a Lament by Briseis . Greek Studies: Interdisciplinary Approaches, Series Editor: G. Nagy, Harvard University, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Lanham, 2002, xi+141 pp.

Fil: Zecchin de Fasano, Graciela Cristina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Charles Segal. Sophocles' Tragic World. Divinity, Nature. Sociery. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 1998, XII + 276 pp.

Fil: Nelli, María Florencia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

X. Riu, Dionysism and Comedy, Greek Studies: Interdisciplinary Approaches, Series Editor: G. Nagy, Harvard University, Rowman and Litkefield Publishers, Inc. Maryland, 1999, vii+294 pp.

Fil: Zecchin de Fasano, Graciela Cristina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.