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Cultural Differences in Education

Regular Semester

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Instructor: Karen Coulter

Summer 1988

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Home Phone: 681-8253

Thursdays, 5:30 - 9:20 P. M.

Location: MPX 7500

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1.

To develop an understanding of the history of Canada as a multicultural society and the legal

and social forces which have shaped the history with particular reference to the Canadian

constitutional setting.

2.

To develop an awareness of one's own cultural heritage and the ways in which it values shape

and inform one's perception of and attitude to people of other cultural backgrounds.

3.

To become familiar with the cultural/religious backgrounds of some students in B.C. schools

4.

To become familiar with some of the current issues surrounding multiculturalism generally,

and multicultural education in particular and develop tools for analyzing same

5.

To become aware of the opportunities for educational enrichment which our multicultural

society affords, examine some of the materials currently available to teachers and to develop

further materials and techniques for use in the multicultural classroom

6.

To develop a sensitivity for some "problematic" topics/subjects in the multicultural classroom

and to explore techniques for meeting the needs of a variety of cultural groups.

Techniques:

A variety of approaches, including role play, discussion, case study, audio-visual presentations,

guest lecturers and student presentations will be used to develop the student/teacher's

awareness of and appreciation for the multicultural nature of Canadian society and to work toward

defining the role of the professional educator within that context.

Assignments and Evaluation

1.

Classroom participation and attendance

2.

An autobiographical sketch of the student's own cultural/religious background and the values

and world view flowing therefrom.

3.

A written judgment of a legal case involving a current multicultural issue before the Courts.

4.

Development and demonstration of a lesson plan or curriculum aide on a multicultural theme.

5.

Review of a book from a suggested reading list or selected by the student with approval by

the instructor.

Texts:

Tiedt, P. and Tiedt. Multicultural teaching.

Samuda, R. Multiculturalism in Canada

Selected readings to be provided by the instructor.