Culture & Education Seminar

Catalog description

Humans are divided into different groups based on religion, language, ability, beliefs, ethnicity, appearance, values, traditions and many other markers. Effective communication across these differences requires all humans, and teachers in particular, to develop skills that enable successful interaction and collaborate across boundaries. Culture can be understood, at least partially, as the background and preconceptions humans carry into any interpersonal situation. Since culture constitutes the keystone of identity, it is a key source of conflict between people, particularly in the teacher-student relationship. This seminar pairs discussions and readings about the nexus of culture, identity and education with immersion in different cultures, internationally, nationally and locally, to develop a deeper commitment in students to be effective teachers for all children across all differences. Prereq: EDFN 211 and 241