Brief description

The main aim of the course is to deepen students' understanding of the multicultural natue of contemporary British society and its bearing on the education of all children. It examines the theories and practices underpinning multicultural educational policies in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Aims of the module

• to develop students' understanding of the cultural diversity in British society;

• to consider the implications of cultural diversity for schooling;

• to examine the theories and practices underpinning multicultural educational policies.

Syllabus

Among the issues examined are:

• psychological, philosophical, and sociological perspectives on multicultural education;

• Britain as a multicultural society;

• the school curriculum and racism;

• under-achievement;

• bicultural identities;

• racism and sexism;

• home-school links in a multicultural society.

Learning outcomes

Cognitive

• understand and explain the nature of the post-Second World War immigration into Britain and Western Europe, and its economic and social consequences;

• Identify educational issues which have emerged as a consequence of the above;

• Able to explain the main causes of salient issues, such as: low achievement of some ethnic groups; problematic nature of personal and social identitites of second- and third-generation ethnic minority adolescents; and racism in schools;

• Identify and evaluate factors within school organization which cause inter-ethnic conflict and work out strategies which can minimize tensions and promote harmony and respect for other cultures.

Affective:

• Acquire the sensibilities to reflect on their own feelings on sensitive issues such as racism and sexism;

• Develop an appreciation of living in a multicultural society and show respect and tolerance for other cultures and 'world views';

• Develop skills to deal with their own feelings which may arise due to congnitive dissonance of day-to-day living in a multicultual society.

Reading Lists