The book's focus is the hegemonic role of so-called modernist, Western epistemology that spread in the wake of colonialism and the capitalist economic system, and its exclusion and othering of other epistemologies.

Through a series of case studies the book discusses how the domination of Western epistemology has had a major impact on the epistemological foundation of the education systems across the globe. The book queries the sustainability of hegemonic epistemology both in the classrooms in the global South as well as in the face of the imminent ecological challenges of our common earth, and discusses whether indigenous knowledge systems would better serve the pupils in the global South and help promote sustainable development.

Contents

1. Introduction 2. The Hegemonic Role of Western Epistemology 3. Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Sustainability, and Education in the Global South 4. Indigenous Knowledges and Education: the Case of South Africa 5. Education in Sudan and South Sudan: Tension and Struggles Between Epistemologies 6. The Educational Discourse of Cuba - an Epistemological Alternative for Other Countries in the Global South? 7. Cognitive Violence Against Minority Groups: the Case of the Mapuche in Chile 8. Protest and Beyond: A Case for Optimism?

Author Bio

Anders Breidlid is Professor of International Education and Development at Oslo University College.