Foundational Concepts of Decolonial and Southern Epistemologies: (3 Global Forum on Southern Epistemologies)

This book brings together 11 prominent scholars and political activists to discuss and explore issues around postcolonialism, decoloniality, Theories of the South and Epistemologies of the South.  These wide-ranging discussions touch upon issues from academic research methods and writing conventions to global struggles for justice. Together the chapters, as well as the interventions from forum participants which are characteristic of this series, paint a complex and dynamic picture of areas of thought and action that are constantly evolving in response to the demands of a world in flux. The book is a major intervention in current debates about the geopolitics of knowledge, as well as an illustration of the ways in which scholarship in the Global North(s) is indebted to the diverse traditions of scholarship in the Global South(s).

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments and Gratitude Foreword Chapter 1. Sinfree Makoni, Anna Kaiper-Marquez and Bassey Antia: Introduction Chapter 2. Jean Comaroff: Theory from the South: Thinking Out Loud About Decolonization Chapter 3. Boaventura de Sousa Santos: Epistemologies of the South: Justice Against Epistemicide Chapter 4. Molefi Kete Asante: Upending the Inhuman: Decoloniality, Postmodernism and Afrocentricity Chapter 5. Ngũgĩ wa Thiongo: The Politics of Language, Memory and Knowledge Chapter 6. Drucilla Cornell and Souleymane Bachir Diagne: uBuntu, Nite and the Struggle for Global Justice Chapter 7. Catherine Walsh and Walter Mignolo: Foundational Concepts and Struggles for Dignity and Life  Chapter 8. Linda Tuhiwai Smith: Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples Clarissa Jordao: Epilogue: The South Writing Back Index

About the Author :
Sinfree Makoni is a Professor in Applied Linguistics and African Studies, Director of African Studies and Interim Director of the Africana Research Centre at Pennsylvania State University, USA. He holds Extraordinary Professorship, Visiting Professor and Researcher positions at several South African institutions: North-West University, Nelson Mandela University, University of the Western Cape and University of Zululand. Anna Kaiper-Marquez recently began her role as Director of Family Literacy at National Center for Families Learning, USA. Her professional and research interests include English language learning and literacy in international contexts, adult and family language and literacy practices, and language practices and methodologies in the Global South. Magda Madany-Saa has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the Pennsylvania State University, USA. Her research interests include decolonial theory and methodology, critical interculturality, language policy and translanguaging. She is a language teacher educator with experience in Poland, Ecuador and the US.  Bassey E. Antia is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. His teaching and/or research interests span multilingualism (in higher education), language policy, terminology and decolonial approaches to sociolinguistics. He is co-editor with Sinfree Makoni of Southernizing Sociolinguistics: Colonialism, Racism and Patriarchy in Language in the Global South (Routledge, 2023).

Review :
It is a true pleasure to (re)encounter some of the wise elders (if I may) of the contemporary global struggles against the racist, colonial, patriarchal and capitalist death project. This volume attests to the creativity, tenacity and longevity of such powerful struggles and is a wonderful gift to all, including those who are about to join. For applied linguists who are looking to explore Southern epistemologies and decolonial scholarship, there are few better starting points than this book. The volume brings together some of the most prominent scholars in Southern epistemologies and engages them in conversation, helping readers understand key points of convergence and divergence. If you’ve been wanting to learn more about Southern perspectives but weren’t sure where to start, this is the book for you! The volume is a unique collection of discussions with leading scholars and political activists concerned with decoloniality, Theories of the South and related fields. It is designed to allow the contributors to tease out the weaknesses and strengths of the concepts, thereby providing nuanced insights. This publication is essential reading for academics, students, and political activists in these fields globally.