THE UNIVERSITY AS A SITE FOR TRANSFORMATION: DEVELOPING CIVIC-MINDED GRADUATES AT SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTIONS THROUGH AN EPISTEMIC SHIFT IN INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE

Abstract

At least one of the goals of the transformation of universities in South Africa is to develop civic-minded graduates who leave university to become agents of positive social change in broader society. More specifically, universities in South Africa aim to develop graduates who are critical, capable and balanced – graduates who are aware of their social responsibilities in post-apartheid South Africa. In this paper we, first, consider why South African universities should want to promote the development of socially-responsive civic-minded agents. Second, we analyse three plausible suggestions for the transformation of universities into sites that could increase a university’s ability to foster civic-minded graduates on its campus: transformation of the university structures and demographics; the implementation of transformative teaching and learning practices; and the implementation of community engagement programmes. While all three of these suggestions are found to be plausible, we argue that in order for universities to become sites for transformation par excellence – sites which foster the development of civic mindedness ‒ universities must embrace an epistemic shift in institutional culture. Finally, we examine some plausible causes that could be preventing this from taking place in our context.