Socially Just Pedagogies, Capabilities and Quality in Higher Education

"At a time when proving their 'quality' has become the overriding concern for higher education institutions around the world, Melanie Walker and Merridy Wilson-Strydom invite us to appreciate the under-recognised linkages between quality education and the pursuit of greater social justice in and through higher education. [This book] demonstrate[s] the possibilities and various manifestations of socially just pedagogies, grounding their argument in new theorising, empirical observations, or both. Highlighting the capabilities approach as an overall conceptual and ethical framework by which to evaluate both policy and practice, the book is a refreshing and much welcome addition to the literature on critical pedagogies in higher education." (Carolin Kreber, Professor of Higher Education, The University of Edinburgh, UK, and Dean, School of Professional Studies, Cape Breton University) "This book makes a compelling case for the human development perspective, and how this can be harnessed for teaching and learning for social justice. It provides well-reasoned theoretical perspectives, insightful research based analyses, and exciting examples of academics truly teaching from a strong values base. It combines an international gaze with fine-grained, highly contextualised reflections on how to teach differently." (Professor Brenda Leibowitz, University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

This book explores the idea that teaching and learning – pedagogy – at universities is a crucial space for students’ formation as ethical graduates, equipped with knowledge, skills and values to contribute to more equal societies.This book explores the idea that teaching and learning – pedagogy – at universities is a crucial space for students’ formation as ethical graduates, equipped with knowledge, skills and values to contribute to more equal societies. We know that universities across the globe do not stand apart from social and educational inequalities at multiple levels; they have the potential to reproduce or reduce social inequalities and therefore towards transformative ends. This book suggests how this could be achieved both via policy and practice around the globe