The Social Consciousness and Sustainable Futures (SCSF) module emerged out of the #Must Fall Movements 2015 - 2017, which was a decolonial ‘moment’ in South African higher education and was characterised by a demand for open access in terms of curriculum, culture, and history of the future university. This means SA students demanded to be “visible” in the curriculum and cultures of the higher education to fully participate in it. One of the key ways to ‘visibilise’ students and ensure their success upon accessing the higher education system is assisting the students to be part of the co-production of the curriculum that reflects their history and humanising futures.

 

At Nelson Mandela University, the students demanded a foundational course in which all students can understand the basic social issues tied to justice, fairness, freedom, sustainability, dignity, and recognition.   

 

This means several meetings and discussions by students and a collective of interdisciplinary staff for 2 years (2016-2018) facilitated the eventual piloting of the course on the 06th of August 2018 at the Port Elizabeth Main campus. 

 

The SCSF module consistently evolves to meet the changing needs of the students and graduates. As part of this process, it also reflects on fundamental questions like: Can students relate to and see themselves in the curriculum? How are we accessing this understanding, and are our models of assessment cognizant of the various ways in which assessment can be measured? To what extent are students engaged or involved in creating the curriculum that is being presented to them? These questions are used each year to assess whether the module is fulfilling its goal, which is rooted in the Must Fall movement of creating a curriculum that fosters a sense of belonging, 

 

Mission/ Vision

The Social Consciousness and Sustainable Futures Module aims to address issues like social justice, freedom, and sustainability. It promotes transformative, decolonial education through a humanizing pedagogy that encourages learning, unlearning, and relearning. 

 

Objectives 

This module, inspired by the university’s values and identity, creates a space for students to explore and shape the idea of an African and sustainable university. It encourages social responsibility, integrates academic knowledge with the university’s core values, and promotes holistic development grounded in local ways of knowing.