Educational anthropology: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:41, 3 March 2025

Study of the relationship between education and culture

Educational anthropology is a subfield of anthropology and is concerned with the study of the relationship between education and culture. It examines how cultural beliefs, practices, and values influence educational systems and processes, and how education, in turn, affects cultural development.

History[edit]

The field of educational anthropology emerged in the mid-20th century as anthropologists began to study educational systems in various cultural contexts. It draws on methods and theories from both anthropology and education to understand how education functions in different societies.

Key Concepts[edit]

Cultural transmission: The process by which a society's culture is passed on to the next generation through education.
Enculturation: The gradual acquisition of the characteristics and norms of a culture by a person, group, or another culture.
Socialization: The process by which individuals learn and adopt the values and norms of their society.

Methods[edit]

Educational anthropologists use a variety of methods to study educational systems, including:

Ethnography: A qualitative research method that involves observing and interviewing people in their natural environment.
Participant observation: A method where the researcher immerses themselves in the community to observe and participate in daily activities.
Interviews: Conducting structured or unstructured interviews with participants to gather information about their educational experiences.

Applications[edit]

Educational anthropology has practical applications in designing educational programs that are culturally relevant and effective. It can help educators understand the cultural backgrounds of their students and create more inclusive learning environments.

Further reading[edit]

Erickson, Frederick. "Culture in Society and in Educational Practices." In Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education, edited by James A. Banks and Cherry A. McGee Banks, 32-46. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.
Levinson, Bradley A. U., and Dorothy C. Holland. "The Cultural Production of the Educated Person: An Introduction." In The Cultural Production of the Educated Person: Critical Ethnographies of Schooling and Local Practice, edited by Bradley A. U. Levinson, Douglas E. Foley, and Dorothy C. Holland, 1-54. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1996.

Teachers College today
Teachers College today
Teachers College today

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-[[File:Teachers_College_today.JPG|thumb|Teachers_College_today]] [[file:Teachers_College_today.JPG_-_Wikipedia_|right|thumb|Teachers_College_today.JPG_-_Wikipedia_]] [[file:Teachers_College_today.JPG_|right|thumb|Teachers_College_today.JPG_]]   '''Educational anthropology''' is a subfield of [[anthropology]] that focuses on the study of education within cultural contexts. It examines the ways in which educational processes, institutions, and experiences are influenced by and contribute to cultural practices, beliefs, and social structures.
+{{Short description|Study of the relationship between education and culture}}
+'''Educational anthropology''' is a subfield of [[anthropology]] and is concerned with the study of the relationship between [[education]] and [[culture]]. It examines how cultural beliefs, practices, and values influence educational systems and processes, and how education, in turn, affects cultural development.
 ==History==
-The field of educational anthropology emerged in the mid-20th century as anthropologists began to apply their methods and theories to the study of education. Early work in this area was influenced by the broader field of [[cultural anthropology]], which emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural variation and the role of culture in shaping human behavior.
+The field of educational anthropology emerged in the mid-20th century as anthropologists began to study educational systems in various cultural contexts. It draws on methods and theories from both anthropology and education to understand how education functions in different societies.
 ==Key Concepts==
-Educational anthropology encompasses several key concepts, including:
+* '''Cultural transmission''': The process by which a society's culture is passed on to the next generation through education.
+* '''Enculturation''': The gradual acquisition of the characteristics and norms of a culture by a person, group, or another culture.
-* '''Cultural transmission''': The process by which culture is passed from one generation to the next, often through educational practices.
+* '''Socialization''': The process by which individuals learn and adopt the values and norms of their society.
-* '''Enculturation''': The process by which individuals learn and adopt the values and norms of their culture.
-* '''Socialization''': The process by which individuals learn to function within their society, which often occurs through educational institutions.
-* '''Hidden curriculum''': The implicit lessons and values that are conveyed through the educational environment, beyond the formal curriculum.
 ==Methods==
-Educational anthropologists use a variety of research methods to study education, including:
+Educational anthropologists use a variety of methods to study educational systems, including:
+* [[Ethnography]]: A qualitative research method that involves observing and interviewing people in their natural environment.
-* '''Ethnography''': A qualitative research method that involves immersive observation and participation in the daily life of a community.
+* [[Participant observation]]: A method where the researcher immerses themselves in the community to observe and participate in daily activities.
-* '''Participant observation''': A method in which the researcher takes part in the activities of the group being studied to gain a deeper understanding of their practices and perspectives.
+* [[Interviews]]: Conducting structured or unstructured interviews with participants to gather information about their educational experiences.
-* '''Interviews''': Structured or unstructured conversations with individuals to gather information about their experiences and views on education.
-* '''Document analysis''': The examination of educational materials, such as textbooks, curricula, and policy documents, to understand the cultural and social contexts of education.
 ==Applications==
-Educational anthropology has practical applications in various areas, including:
+Educational anthropology has practical applications in designing educational programs that are culturally relevant and effective. It can help educators understand the cultural backgrounds of their students and create more inclusive learning environments.
-* '''Curriculum development''': Informing the design of curricula that are culturally relevant and responsive to the needs of diverse student populations.
-* '''Educational policy''': Providing insights into how educational policies can be shaped to promote equity and inclusion.
-* '''Teacher training''': Enhancing teachers' understanding of cultural diversity and the ways in which cultural factors influence learning and teaching.
-==Related Fields==
-Educational anthropology is closely related to several other fields, including:
+==See also==
 * [[Cultural anthropology]]
 * [[Sociology of education]]
-* [[Educational psychology]]
 * [[Comparative education]]
-==Notable Figures==
+==Further reading==
-Some notable figures in the field of educational anthropology include:
+* Erickson, Frederick. "Culture in Society and in Educational Practices." In Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education, edited by James A. Banks and Cherry A. McGee Banks, 32-46. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.
+* Levinson, Bradley A. U., and Dorothy C. Holland. "The Cultural Production of the Educated Person: An Introduction." In The Cultural Production of the Educated Person: Critical Ethnographies of Schooling and Local Practice, edited by Bradley A. U. Levinson, Douglas E. Foley, and Dorothy C. Holland, 1-54. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1996.
-* [[Margaret Mead]]
+{{Education}}
-* [[George Spindler]]
-* [[Frederick Erickson]]
-==See Also==
-* [[Cultural anthropology]]
-* [[Sociology of education]]
-* [[Educational psychology]]
-* [[Comparative education]]
-* [[Ethnography]]
-* [[Enculturation]]
-* [[Socialization]]
-==References==
-{{Reflist}}
-==External Links==
-{{Commons category|Educational anthropology}}
 [[Category:Anthropology]]
 [[Category:Education]]
 [[Category:Social sciences]]
+[[Category:Educational anthropology]]
-{{Anthropology-stub}}
+{{nt}}
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