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ANTH 6306 Anthropology and Education

Spring 2007 Dallas Hall Room 102     Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.

Prof. Robert V. Kemper     phone: 214-768-2928     email: rkemper@smu.edu

Catalog/Course Description

The anthropological approach to the study of schools; how an anthropological framework can provide insight into the nature of education and classroom interaction.  In addition, this course will examine the development of education its cultural, economic, political, religious, and social contexts.  Special consideration will be given to "bilingual" and "bicultural" (and "multicultural") education in the United States, in Mexico, and elsewhere in the Americas.

Required and Recommended Readings

Required:

Garcia, Eugene E. (2001) Hispanic Education in the United States: Raices y Alas. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

Romo, Harriett D. (1999) Reaching Out: Best Practices for Educating Mexican-Origin Children and Youth. Charleston, West Virginia: Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools.

Recommended Reading:

Bonfil Batalla, Guillermo (1996) México Profundo: Reclaiming a Civilization (translated by Philip A. Dennis).  Austin: University of Texas Press. (originally published as México profundo: una civilización negada) 

Hopkins, Jack W. (ed.) (1998) Latin America: Perspectives on a Region.  Second Edition.  New York: Holmes & Meier.

Other readings will be posted to the course web site or placed on reserve in the ISEM Library, as needed.

Course Requirements

1. Monograph Review/Reflection (total of 10%).  Prepare TWO (2) reports, one written in English and the other in Spanish.  Each report should be about 2 double-spaced pages (500 words). Books should be selected from among those on the list provided on the course Web site. The first report will be due on 15 February; the second report will be due on 29 March.

2. Midterm (total of 30%).  Write two take-home essays (from three choices provided) – each 4 to 5 double-spaced pages (1,000-1,250 words); due at class on 8 March.  Write one answer in English and the other in Spanish. (for examples, see Midterm Exam Questions).

3. Funds of Knowledge Classroom Project (total of 30%). Prepare a "poster session" and a one-page written abstract (with a copy for everyone in class) about a "funds of knowledge" classroom unit.  Students who are not currently in a classroom setting can work with a teacher to develop an appropriate unit. This report should be "bilingual" -- i.e., capable of being interpreted in both English and Spanish. Both poster and abstract are due at the class meeting on 26 April.

4. Final Exam (total of 30%).  Write two take home essays (from three choices provided) – each 4 to 5 double-spaced pages (1,000-1,250 words); due no later than 8:00 pm on 3 May at Prof. Kemper’s office.  Write one answer in English and the other in Spanish.

Administrative Issues

The SMU Student “Code of Conduct”

Students are expected to abide by the SMU Code of Conduct in all matters related to this course, including work inside and outside of the classroom.  For details, please see http://www.smu.edu/studentlife/PCL_03_Conduct_Code.asp

Policy on Make-ups, Lateness, and Attendance:

Students are expected to attend all class sessions.  If you will not be able to attend a specific session, you must make arrangements with another student to get copies of notes, etc.  Assignments must be turned in on time; for each 24-hour period an assignment is late, one full grade will be deducted (e.g., an “A” paper will become a “B” paper).  Appropriate medical and family excuses will be accepted in order to establish new dates for assignments.  Make-ups for the Final Examination will require substantial justification.

Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities

Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity will be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation.  It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up the work.  (University Undergraduate Catalogue)

Altschuler Learning Enhancement Center:

Students who require extra assistance with writing, reading, or test-taking should consult the Altschuler Learning Enhancement Center staff.  For details, please see http://www.smu.edu/alec/home/

Disability Accommodations

Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557) to verify the disability and establish eligibility for accommodations.  They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements.  (See University Policy No. 2.4.)  Please see http://www.smu.edu/studentlife/OSSD_Facts.asp

Religious Observances

Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence.  (See University Policy No. 1.9.)

18 Jan (Th)

Introduction: Culture, Society, and Institutions as a Framework for Understanding Education; the "Funds of Knowledge Project"

25 Jan (Th)

Educational Anthropology: Perspectives on Schools and Communities

Readings: Romo, Reaching Out, chapters 2 and 6; García, Hispanic Education, chapters 1, 2,

1 Feb (Th)

Background for Understanding Contemporary Latin America: Geography, History, Society and Culture, Economics and Politics, Religion -- the "Encuentro" of Spain/Portugal/Europe with the Natives of the Americas

Readings: Chronology of Cultures in Spain

Readings: Chronology Mesoamerican Cultures

Readings: Foster -- Culture and Conquest

Readings: Hopkins, Latin America, selected chapters (Conrad, Schwaller, Lombardi)

8 Feb (Th)

Education in Latin America and in Mexico

Recommended Readings: Levinson, We Are All Equal; Latapí Sarre, Un Siglo de Educación en México

Recommended Readings: Cummings and Tamayo, Language and Education in Latin America: An Overview

15 Feb (Th)

Discussion of the Classroom Project on "Funds of Knowledge"

MONOGRAPH REVIEW/REFLECTION #1 DUE

22 Feb (Th)

¡Qué Viva México! -- Geography, History, Society and Culture, Economics and Politics, Religion 

Recommended Readings: Bonfil, México Profundo, pp. 1-250

HAND OUT MIDTERM ESSAY QUESTIONS

1 Mar (Th)

Ethnic Groups and Hispanic-Origin Populations in the United States

Readings: Kemper article, "Mexicans in the United States"

Readings: García, Hispanic Education, chapter 4

Video: "Little Mexico"

8 Mar (Th)

Hispanic Education in the United States

Readings: García, Hispanic Education, chapters 5-10; Romo, Reaching Out, chapter 1

Recommended Readings: Nieto, Puerto Rican Students in U. S. Schools

Video: "The Lemon Grove Incident"

MIDTERM ESSAYS DUE IN CLASS

15 Mar (Th)

SMU Spring Break -- no class meeting

22 Mar (Th)

"Funds of Knowledge": An Approach to Multicultural Education

Readings: Gonzalez et al., "Educational Innovation: Learning from Households" articles in Practicing Anthropology (vol. 17, no. 3, summer 1995); Gonzalez et al., "Teacher Research on Funds of Knowledge" (1993)

29 Mar (Th)

Monolingual, Bilingual, and Multilingual (ESL) Education in the United States (Presentation by Dr. Pulte)

Readings: TBA

MONOGRAPH REVIEW/REFLECTION #2 DUE

5 Apr (Th)

Schools as Institutions, Communities as Contexts, Families as Cultural Units: Anthropological Perspectives on Contemporary American Education

Readings: Special issue of Practicing Anthropology (vol. 24, no. 3, summer 2002) "Latinos in the Midwest"

12 Apr (Th)

Best Practices -- Education for Hispanic-Origin Students and Families

Hand Out and discuss Final Exam questions

Readings: Romo, Reaching Out, chapter 3-5, and 7

HAND OUT FINAL EXAM ESSAY QUESTIONS

19 Apr (Th)

No formal class meeting.  Use the time to finish the poster and abstract for the Funds of Knowledge projects.

26 Apr (Th) 

Poster Sessions: Funds of Knowledge Projects Due (do not forget to bring an abstract for all class members and visitors)

3 May (Th)

FINAL EXAMINATION DUE AT KEMPER’S OFFICE (405 Heroy) no later than 7:50 p.m.