ERIC Number: EJ1277582
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Dec
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0926-7220
EISSN: N/A
Using Anthropological Principles to Transform the Teaching of Human "Difference" and Genetic Variation in College Classrooms
Hubbard, Amelia R.; Monnig, Laurel A.
Science & Education, v29 n6 p1541-1565 Dec 2020
Exposure to information about genetics is at an all-time high, while a full understanding of the biocultural complexity of human difference is low. This paper demonstrates the value of an "anthropological approach" to enhance genetics education in biology, anthropology, and other related disciplines, when teaching about human differences such as race/ethnicity, sex/gender, and disability. As part of this approach, we challenge educators across social and natural sciences to critically examine and dismantle the tacit cultural assumptions that shape our understanding of genetics and inform the way we perceive (and teach about) human differences. It calls on educators from both social and natural science disciplines to "de-silo" their classrooms and uses examples from our biological anthropology and sociocultural anthropology classrooms, to demonstrate how educators can better contextualize the "genetics" of human difference in their own teaching. Numerous opportunities to transform our teaching exist, and we are doing a disservice to our students by not taking these critical steps.
Descriptors: Anthropology, College Science, Science Instruction, Genetics, Biology, Individual Differences, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Gender Differences, Disabilities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Misconceptions, Interdisciplinary Approach
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A