Human Diversity in Education: An Integrative Approach, 4/e

Kenneth H. Cushner, Kent State University, Kent
Averil McClelland, Kent State University, Kent
Philip Safford, Case Western Reserve University

Classrooms and Schools as Cultural Crossroads

Essay


1		Reflect upon your school experiences in relation to the criteria for creating in-groups. List at least three occasions in which you have seen or experienced the criteria that serve to form in-groups within your school's community. Which ones were you involved in as an in-group participant? In what ways, if any, did your participation with one in-group prevent you from affiliating with another group?



2		Think of a personal "first time" experience that required adjusting to the people in your surroundings. Apply the U-curve hypothesis to your "first time" experience. Assign each of the four U-curve phases: honeymoon, hostility, humor, and home to corresponding personal events of the "first time" experience.



3		Discuss two possible problems caused by the "melting pot" view of assimilating diverse cultures.



4		Discuss and give examples of at least three themes that must be addressed in understanding the emotional responses individuals often experience when engaged in an intercultural encounter.



5		Use your imagination to design a school environment where integration of diverse cultures occurs in harmony. In two paragraphs, set up the imagined integrated school environment and describe what teachers and students who belonged to your imagined cultures did to successfully integrate with harmonious outcomes.

2003 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies.