Date/Time
Date(s) - Wed - 29 Mar
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Categories
Dear friends of the UFC,
Please join Melusi Andile Dlamini’s Seminar presentation entitled, “Challenging heteronormative scripts through film: using transformative pedagogy among TVET college students in Durban”., Hosted by DUT’s Urban Futures Centre.
PRESENTER: Melusi Andile Dlamini
TOPIC: “Challenging heteronormative scripts through film: using transformative pedagogy among TVET college students in Durban”
DATE: Wednesday, 29 March 2017
TIME: 12H00-13H30
VENUE: Steve Biko Campus – DUT, UFC offices, S2 Block, Level 4, Room DP4.01B (UFC Common Room). Entrance Gate 1 & 2. 79 Steve Biko Road
Abstract:
We describe an initiative aimed at addressing homophobia and destabilising heteronormativity in higher education. The initiative was implemented in 2014 at a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and involved 20 newly formed peer educators and one lecturer from the college. We focussed on work that emphasised the creation of a safe and welcoming environment for gender non-conforming students. In particular, we made use of film and transformative pedagogy to address homophobia at the TVET College. Through analysing the participants’ reflections we found evidence that the intervention facilitated students’ critical thinking and self-examination, while helping them find alternative ways of bringing about social change and gender equity in their ‘day-to-day praxis’. The initiative further provided space to forge new ways of talking about and addressing abuse of LGBTI students; thus enabling an appreciation of the resourcefulness of film. Overall, we highlight the potential value of film and transformative pedagogy in addressing homophobia and disturbing heteronormativity among students in a TVET college.
Bio:
Melusi Dlamini works as a Project Officer in the HIV/AIDS Centre at the Durban University of Technology. He is also a part-time lecturer in the General Education project at the same institution. Dlamini holds a Master’s degree in Anthropology, and just recently became a PhD candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with a specific interest in young masculinities in South Africa. In 2016, he became a fellow under the HSRC/UCLA Leadership in HIV Programme, through which he has developed several youth-led interventions. His combined passion for advocacy, teaching and research have resulted in the common motif of his work being youth empowerment, social justice and access to sexual and reproductive health rights. Dlamini’s recent research focus has been on creating safer spaces and empowering LGBTI youth within higher education. In his personal capacity, he coordinates the South African chapter of the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning (IYAFP).
Kindly take note of the venue (UFC Common Room).
Please feel free to share this invitation to others who might be interested.
Kindly RSVP your attendance to fathimaa1@dut.ac.za
We look forward to seeing you at the seminar!