Círculo de cultura" as a political-pedagogical strategy for thecurricularization of extension in an undergraduate course at UFF

Abstract

Extension has been given institutional recognition in recent years. Making it a mandatory curricular component is an affirmation of its importance. More than a panacea in the relationship with society, we need to resume a reflection on the meaning of extension in its dialogic and emancipatory potential. This text, in the format of an experience report, aims to present and analyze the experience of the ‘Círculo de Cultura’ (a curricular component of extension in an undergraduate course at UFF). Initially, we locate our understanding of extension, contextualizing the debate within the scope of the undergraduate course; then, we describe the ‘Círculo de Cultura”; after that, we present and analyze some elements of this experience; finally, we argue in favor of the emancipatory potential of extension. The experience of the ‘Círculo de Cultura’ signaled the importance of resuming the principles of popular education for extension practices. Furthermore, the dialogic practice enabled a mutual recognition and unveiling of the ‘world’ between participants and mediators. Thus, the report seeks to situate and affirm the importance of the inseparability between teaching, research, and extension as the foundation of the public university, demonstrating the need to resume the critical dimension of extension in its political-pedagogical aspects.