Introduction to the Social and Cultural Foundations of Education

PROGRAMME
COURSE CODE: JBTE/EDSF 101/201
COURSE TITLE: Introduction to the Social and Cultural Foundations of Education
YEAR: 1
SEMESTER: 1
CREDITS: 3
DURATION: 45 hours
PRE-REQUISITES: Programme Matriculation

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This introductory course examines philosophical, historical, social and cultural perspectives that impact educational policies and practices. The course aims at providing teachers with the knowledge, skills and techniques necessary for them to reflect on issues that have practical import in the classroom and school system. It therefore seeks to provide students with a critical understanding of:
1. the nature and philosophical underpinnings of education
2. the development of Caribbean education systems
3. the impact of contemporary issues in society on education
4. major determinants of academic achievement

OBJECTIVES
The course will:
1. Critically examine major theoretical assumptions about the role of education in society.
2. Assist students in creating a plan of instruction to demonstrate the utilization of knowledge of the social and cultural context of education in the Caribbean.
3. Assist students in creating an awareness of how to demonstrate and display appropriate pedagogical methods to actively engage their students in addressing issues affecting Caribbean society and education systems.
4. Assist students in demonstrating appreciation for the social and cultural foundations of Caribbean education by evaluating how these factors affect teachers’ classroom practices.
5. Enhance students’ learning of ways of effectively engaging all stakeholders in the education process.

Programme Outline

1. The Purpose of Education
a. Schooling versus education
b. Freedom and access, personal development, civic responsibility, economic engagement
c. Overview of traditional vs. contemporary perspectives on education
d. Formal, informal and non-formal education
e. Structure of education in the Caribbean
f. Universal access to education
2. The Development of Caribbean Education Systems
a. History of education in the Caribbean
b. Education policy and development
i. Education Act of each country
ii. Foundation for the future
iii. Education papers relevant to each country
c. Teaching as a profession
3. Contemporary Issues in Education
a. Violence among the youth
b. Youth subculture
c. HIV/AIDS and sexuality
d. Mass media
e. Substance abuse
4. Determinants of Academic Achievement
a. Gender
i. Achievement differences between males and females
ii. Feminization of the teaching profession
iii. Issues of socialization
iv. Pedagogical methods used in classrooms
v. Single sex vs. coed schooling and/or classrooms
b. Inequality in society and schools
i. Socio-economic differences
ii. Teacher expectations
iii. Religious and cultural diversity
iv. Streaming
v. Elitism in education
vi. Language and social class
c. Exceptional learners
i. Children with special needs
ii. Gifted students
iii. Physically challenged learners
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d. Parental involvement
i. Relationships between teachers and parents
ii. Involving parents beyond the PTA
iii. Rights and responsibilities of parents in their children’s education

Assesment

This course will be assessed through Course Work (100% of course grade)
Two assignments are required which may include:
 Group Presentation, and/or
 Essay – on an issue, and/or
 Research/Lit Review
Below are examples of assignments:
a. Group presentation on an issue in Caribbean education, including measures the teacher could use to address the issue at the classroom level. (30%)
b. Essay on the development of education in the Caribbean, including discussion on how teachers’ knowledge of this development could inform methodologies intended to help students gain maximum benefits from their school experiences. (30%)
c. Activity addressing “Inequality in Education”. Students have to interview an elderly person in their family or community and prepare a report based the answers to the following questions. (30%)
Criteria: person should be 70 years of older, can be from any walk of life.
Some questions include:
 Name
 Age
 Family relationship (if any)
 Which country are you from?
 Did your parents attend school? If not, why not?
o If yes, how far did they go in their education – primary, secondary, tertiary?
 Did your grandparents attend School? If not, why not?
o If yes, how far did they go in their education – primary, secondary, tertiary?
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 Did you attend school? If not, why not?
o If yes, how old were you when you attended school?
 How far was your home from your school?
 Did you walk to school or were you driven to school?
 How far did you go in your education?
 Who was your best teacher and why?
 Who was your worst teacher and why?
 What was your favourite subject?
 Tell me something you still remember about going to school?
 Tell me about your job history. What were some of the jobs you held?
 What was the job you held the longest?
 How soon after finishing school were you able to get a job?
 Did you have to stop going to school in order to go to work?
d. Activity Addressing “Parental Involvement”. As a teacher, you have discovered that parental support is lacking among the students. Discuss two projects in which you would engage your students that would encourage parents to become involved. (30%)
e. Site visits, interviews, surveys, case studies, role play. (30%)
NB: The 60% weighting will be converted to 100% at the end of the course.

COURSE READINGS

Required
1. Haralambos, M. & Holborn, M. (2008). Sociology: Themes & Perspectives. London: Collins Educational – Seventh Edition.
2. Fuller, B (1986). Raising School Quality in Developing Countries. What Investments Boost Lending? Washington: World Bank.
3. The Education Act of your country.
4. Barrow, C. (1998). Family in the Caribbean: Themes & Perspectives. Kingston, Jamaica: Ian Randle.
5. Darling-Hammond, L., French, J. and Garcia-Lopez, S. P., (Eds) (2002). Learning to Teach for Social Justice. NY: Teacher College Press.
Recommended
1. The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey (1986). (Chapters 1 & 2) – compiled by Amy Jacques Garvey. Dover, Mass: The Majority Press.
2. Jules, D. Development of a CARICOM Strategic Plan for Primary and Secondary Education Services in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), a Concept Paper. Sponsored by Arthur Lok Jack, Graduate School of Business, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.