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ANTH 6306 Anthropology and Education

Fall 2005     Hyer Hall Room 104     Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 8:20 p.m.

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

faculty profile: http://www.smu.edu/anthro/faculty/rKemper/rKemper.htm

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 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 2 October; the second report will be due on 30 October.

2. Midterm (total of 25%).  Write two take-home essays (from three choices provided) – each 4 to 5 pages (1,000-1,250 words); due at class on 13 October.  Write one answer in English and the other in Spanish. (see Midterm Exam Questions).

3. Team Project on INEGI and US Census Bureau Data Sources (total of 10%).  In teams, prepare a 4 page (1,000 word) report on issues related to the transformation of Mexican society and Mexican-American life in the 20th century.  This team report will be due on 17 November.  Prepare this report in English or in Spanish. (see INEGI-US Census Assignment).

4. 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 classroom teachers 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. This project is due at the class meeting on 10 November.

6. Final Exam (total of 25%).  Write two take home essays (from three choices provided) – each 4 to 5 pages (1,000-1,250 words); due 8 December 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.)

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

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

Educational Anthropology: Perspectives on Schools and Communities

Readings: Romo, Reaching Out, chapter 6

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)

Education in Latin America

Recommended Readings: TBA

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

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

Education in Mexico

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

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"

HAND OUT MIDTERM ESSAY QUESTIONS

MONOGRAPH REVIEW/REFLECTION #1 DUE

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"

"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)

Video: "Animecha Kejtsitacua -- ofrenda para las ánimas: Noche de Muertos"

MIDTERM ESSAYS DUE IN CLASS

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"

Monolingual, Bilingual, and Multilingual (ESL) Education in the United States

Presentation by Dr. Pulte

MONOGRAPH REVIEW/REFLECTION #2 DUE

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

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

INEGI/U.S. CENSUS Team Projects Due -- Discussion of Final Exam questions

1 Dec (Th)

FINAL EXAMINATION DUE AT KEMPER’S OFFICE (405 Heroy) by 5:30 p.m.