Introduction

Abstract

In this introductory chapter, Kumar sets the scene for the major theoretical and contextual discussions informing key curricular concepts developed throughout the chapters of this book. He first talks about his rich intellectual journey which culminates in the current work, citing a number of influential scholars and mentors who have shaped and enriched his understandings of the field of curriculum studies. He then discusses the ideological, colonial, and neoliberal movements that influence curriculum in different international contexts and proposes four responses—Indigenous, critical, autobiographical, and meditative—to individually and collectively challenge these influences. Far from being mutually exclusive, Kumar argues that these rich and diverse responses work in tandem to create a world where Indigenous sensibilities, criticality, self-reflection, and meditative inquiry inform our learning and living experiences. In the last section, he provides a synoptic overview of the core chapters of the book.