EDUCATION 441-4:
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CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN EDUCATION
Spring Semester, 1990
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Instructor: Dr. June Beynon
Tuesdays, 4:30 - 8:20
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Office: ?
MPX 8636
Location: MPX 7600
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Phone:
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291-3519
PREREQUISITE:
60 hours of credit.
DESCRIPTION
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.
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 combating 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.
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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.
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
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15%
2.
Interview with someone from cultural background other
than your own (including written report)
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25%
3.
Problem solving tasks
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25%
4.
Analysis of a contemporary issue
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35%
BOOKS
Do not purchase any books until you have attended the first class.
Tiedt, P., & Tiedt. Multicultural Teaching.
Samuda, R. Multiculturalism in Canada.
