A social justice approach to providing academic writing support

Abstract

The value of the support provided in a writing centre is well documented today in international literature. However, an area largely untouched has been how to implement social justice principles in the context of a writing centre. In many of the articles on writing centre support, mention is made of the fact that writing centre work is social justice work without fully defining the nature of the actual principles of this social justice. It is hoped that this paper makes a contribution in this regard. The paper begins by looking in detail at the concept of social justice, before identifying particular principles of social justice drawn from critical pedagogy that can be applied to the support provided in a writing centre. The discussion also integrates qualitative evidence gathered from a questionnaire administered to five writing consultants employed in a writing centre, as well as quantitative data generated by the online booking system used in the writing centre. An analysis of the data shows that these social justice principles are energised during the dialogue that takes place during consultations. Justification for this study stems from the need to see these issues, not as abstract concepts or as discussion tools for the experts who make important decisions but, as important in determining why and how they can be applied in practice in the writing centre.

Social Realist Ontology for Analysing BRICS Educational Governance: A Higher Education Perspective

“…BRICS nations would, therefore, benefit, by applying a social realist ontology in considering how the interplay of social structures, culture, and agency are generating policies and practices which consider the needs of the weakest of society. This requires critical consideration of principles of social justice and ubuntu, which is an African philosophy highlighting the humanness of all people, including all BRICS members (Rambiritch, 2018). If such principles may emerge in experiences of higher education governance, then possibly, those rich values from ancient Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which are still active in local communities, may aid in creating hope for the youth and future experts.…”

The Contemporary State of Education in South Africa

“…Most importantly, the three schools of thoughts reached an ideological compromise that equity is the sine qua non of any socially just society, however at differential on how a social society should operate to ensure social justice. Going by the three varied conceptual philosophical submissions regarding social justice, it becomes clear that South Africa tends toward the Rightsts' philosophy regarding how individuals struggle to attain education for survival (Ramblrltch 2018). Whatever the position South African system of education takes, it is imperative to note that ideally, social justice should address the dynamics of changing oppression.…”

“…Social justice in education should imply piloting learners in critical self-reflection of how they socialize in the matrix of inequality with the attendant implications, examining the mechanisms of oppressive tendencies and building the capability to challenge the status quo. Fundamentally, social justice should be conceived in education from the angle of resistance to unfairness and inequality to ensure a democratic society and possible freedom for all (Ramblrltch 2018). This emphasizes employing people, positions, policies, and practices in emancipating people that are least served by the decision made by the privileged in the society.…”

Social justice implications for educational psychologists working with orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa

“…Over the years, many authors have alluded to the fact that conceptualising ‘social justice’ is a complex process, as the term may mean different things to different people across different contexts (Ayers, Quinn, & Stovall, 2009; Bell, 2013; Brennan & Naidoo, 2008; Rambiritch, 2018; Sleeter, 2014). In their analysis of definitions of social justice, Shriberg and Clinton (2016) succinctly identified three dichotomies related to conceptualising social justice, all of which further highlighted its complexity.…”

“…More recently, the issue of poor social cohesion has emerged as a constant threat to social justice, as some authors argue that social justice ultimately cannot be achieved in a divided society such as South Africa (Gastrow, 2018). Even after 25 years of democracy, economic, racial, social and political divisions are still strongly prevalent in South Africa and pose an inimical threat to efforts to promote social justice (Rambiritch, 2018).…”