GEC9012

Anthropology in education: anthropological perspectives for TESOL

Dr B M Bullivant

6 points
* Second semester
* Gippsland/Distance

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have an understanding of the ethnic and cultural effects on peoples' communications and attitudes; the influence of ideologies and politics in the wider society; and the tensions caused by minority-group attitudes and means for resolving these.

Synopsis Communication between individuals and social groups is a complex, multi-faceted process. It employs multiple channels of communication through signs, symbols and body language, and occurs in social contexts that affect which channel will be most effective. An individual's ethnic and cultural background also influences communication with others and in turn his/her attitudes will be influenced by prevailing ideologies and the political climate in the wider society. Thus official ideologies such as multiculturalism encourage harmonious communication, while minority-group racism and prejudice harm it, necessitating programs that foster intercultural understanding.

Assessment Activities book: 40%
* Teaching unit: 60%

Prescribed texts

Bullivant B M Race, ethnicity and curriculum Macmillan, 1981
Bullivant B M The ethnic encounter in the secondary school. Ethnocultural reproduction and resistance: Theory and case studies Falmer Press, 1987