CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN EDU(

Fall Semester, 1987 ?

Instructor:

September 8 - December 4 ?

Office:

Tuesdays, 4:30 - 8:20 ?

Phone:

Location:

ATION

Dr. June Beynon

MPX 8636

291-3519; 291-3395

MPX 7600

DESCRIPTION/ELIGIBILITY

Multicultural education can be defined as:

"an education in which cultural diversity is seen and used as

a valuable resource to enrich the lives of all, and in which

every child has the chance to benefit from the cultural

heritage of others, as well as his or her own."

This definition is the foundation of this course which is open to educators (student

teachers, teachers, administrators and counsellors) who want to develop positive

ways of working in multicultural communities. Role play, group discussion, case

study, audiovisual and curriculum materials will be used to assist participants to

develop definitions of their professional roles in a multicultural community, and

activities and programs which will promote positive intercultural education.

Note: While not presently required by calendar regulations 401/402 or equivalent is

strongly a recommended prerequisite.

OBJECTIVES

1.

Develop an understanding of the meaning of culture and multicultural education.

2.

Become familiar with multicultural resources (films, books, etc.)

3.

Evaluate curriculum materials for stereotyping and bias.

4.

Learn about the importance of cultural and racial background in shaping self-

concept.

5.

Identify techniques for learning about a culture other than your own.

6.

Understand the negative impact of prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping and

ways of combatting these with positive programs and problem solving strategies.

7.

Begin defining your own attitudes, feelings, and values about cultural diversity.

8.

Become familiar through use of newspaper and media resources with issues in

multicultural education and develop strategies for analyzing origins of conflict.

THEMES: OVERVIEW OF MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION

These broadly define the major dimensions of multicultural education. In this course

some reference will be made to each. The course calendar will specify weekly topics

which are related to these themes.

I.

Awareness of and Sensitivity to One's Own and Others' Cultural Background

(Personal Exchange).

Concepts: identity, ethnic identity, self-concept, multiculturalism

II.

Knowledge of Other Cultures. (History, Religion, Art, Celebrations, Music,

Dance, Play, School, Work, Community, Sex Roles)

---

.

?

.

III.

Knowledge of Cultures in Contact

Concepts: acculturation, assimilation, integration, segregation, separation,

"culture shock" immigration

IV.

Curriculum and Program Planning/Developing Positive Multicultural

Educational Activities and Programs

- Evaluating materials for stereotyping and bias

- Access to multicultural curriculum

- Integrating multicultural experience and resources into the "mainstream"

curriculum, e.g., Art, Social Studies

- Building positive attitudes through educational programs

V.

Handling Conflict

VI.

The Social Context/Institutional Setting & Contemporary Issues

ASSIGNMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS

1.

Attendance and class participation are required

?

15%

2.

Interview with someone from cultural background other

than your own (including written report)

?

25%

3.

Problem solving tasks

?

25%

4.

Analysis of a contemporary issue

?

BOOKS

Do not purchase any books till you have attended the first class.

Tiedt, P., & Tiedt. Multicultural Teaching.

Samuda, R. Multiculturalism in Canada.