In the context of the home culture, culturally relevant pedagogy aims to make young people "reflect hard on their choices about work and politics, and encourage them to become sensitive to issues of inequality and suffering, and social justice." That is, this pedagogy works to instill a critical consciousness in the students, one where they can…

Today, more than ever before, college educators are being asked to address diversity issues and to teach in ways that foster self-reflexivity and social consciousness. As the world becomes increasingly diverse at the intersections of age, gender, sexual orientation, class, region, religion, race, ethnicity, ability, and nationality, students need…

As countries become increasingly interdependent, student populations in the United States are becoming more culturally diverse. These students' transnational perspectives present significant challenges to teachers, but a disconnect exists between the skills teachers need and those provided to them by colleges of education. As teacher preparation…

Hypothesizes about the relationship between history and fiction. Discusses the contribution of history to understanding human affairs, stressing that history is true and fiction is not. Asserts that each generation uses the same materials to construct a new reality. States fiction gives only a partial view whereas history sees the world as whole.…

A classroom exercise that involves college students in portraying individuals studied in a history of psychology course is described. Working in teams, students develop a presentation allowing figures from different time periods to discuss and debate psychological issues. Students also prepare a bibliography and position summary of the individual…

Discusses the University of York's Centre for Global Education's four-dimensional model of global education, which includes inner, spatial, temporal, and issues dimensions. Presents the argument that an irreducible global perspective should include: (1) systems consciousness; (2) perspective consciousness; (3) health of planet awareness; (4)…

Presents a teaching method for enhancing student awareness of social issues by developing student's ability to take the role of others. States that this process allows students to develop a sense of "other" as a social construction created by the dominant group. Recommends use of journals and primary sources. (KO)

This curriculum project is intended for studying nonviolent conflict resolution at the undergraduate and graduate level, but it could be adapted for high school classes. The project first presents an historical context of Israel to illuminate the present conflict in the Middle East. It then presents a series of vignettes that represent differing…

This curriculum unit seeks to place South Africa's history in a world historical perspective. Although the unit cannot provide a comprehensive analysis of South Africa's place in the world, it does intend to provide an introductory framework by exploring the broad themes of settlement, economic development, and political development. It is…

Asserts the importance of empathy as a necessary condition for health service professionals. Describes classroom techniques and assignments that teach and assess empathic-listening skills. Includes students' ratings of 14 learning activities designed to enhance listening skills and empathy. (CFR)

Discusses interpersonal sentiment and research that suggests individuals are more likely to comply with or help others whom they like than individuals whom they do not like. Reports on two studies of 237 undergraduate Japanese students. Finds that positive sentiment toward a target person increased the subject's willingness to help. (CFR)

Describes a simulation that enhances student ability to gain a perspective on the opposite sex and their world view. Includes a guided mental imagery trip in which the instructor asks questions about daily activities and role reversal simulations using group activity. Cautions that debriefing is essential for success. (KO)

This article shows how a child abuse metaphor can be used to illustrate the range of cultural wounding that can result from oppression, devaluing, or stigmatizing minority group members. Students of social work can better appreciate feelings and behaviors of those oppressed when made aware of parallels between physical or psychological abuse and…

This book explores ways to design courses and units to emphasize understanding and uncoverage rather than coverage, offering practical solutions for teacher-designers. It focuses on a different use for performance assessment, concluding that performance is the key to assessing understanding. The book analyzes the logic of backward design as an…

Discusses the use of feature films in promoting student critical thinking. Proposes using the technique on the elementary, secondary, or college level. Lists possible films and associated questions for discussion. Suggests that role playing could help students develop new perspectives on the films' characters. (SG)