Teacher Education Program

EDU 220  Diversity In Education
An introduction to multicultural education and the various forms of human diversity found in classrooms, schools and communities.  Examines the sociopolitical context of multicultural education in the United States and the relationship of cultural values to the formation of the child's self-concept and learning styles. Examination of the role of prejudice, stereotyping and cultural incompatibilities in education. Emphasis on preparing future teachers to offer an equal educational opportunity to children of all cultural groups.
  • Define multi-culture education and identify the principles of culture.
  • Identify and describe one’s own cultural membership) in relation to other cultures as a significant factor in the student’s own educational experience.
  • Investigate the classroom as a global community in relation to nationality and regional culture.
  • Explore the creation of classrooms that address cultural and ethnic diversity
  • Define religious pluralism in secular classrooms.
  • Describe the development of learning communities that address multiple languages and learning styles.
  • Describe the development of a collaborative classroom, addressing gender and sexual orientation issues.
  • List strategies for the creation of an inclusive classroom
  • Describe methods to assess student progress, including the importance of social class and social status.
  • Define the concepts of individual and institutional racism, stereotyping, prejudice, ethnocentrism, and equality.
  • Research strategies for dealing positively with multi-cultural issues in education in today’s classrooms and classrooms of tomorrow.
 
Topics  included to meet course outcomes: 
I. Demographics
A. Changes in recent years
B. Impact on public education
C. Multicultural education
II. Culture
A. Enculturation
B. Acculturation
C. Assimilation
D. Communication, perception, and world view
III. Attitudes and values
A. Prejudice and racism
B. Ethnocentrism
C. Stereotypes
D. Socio-types
IV. Educational policy
A. Equity
B. Equal educational opportunity
C. Legal precedents
V. Learning styles and teaching styles
A. Field sensitive learning styles
B. Field independent learning styles
C. Teaching styles
VI. Influential children's literature
A. Representative titles
B. Impact on education