Educational anthropology: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:20, 27 December 2024

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 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

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

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

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.

References

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.

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-[[File:Teachers College today.JPG|thumb]] [[File:Teachers College today.jpg- Wikipedia  [[File:Teachers College today.jpg|thumb]] {{Short description|Study of cultural aspects of education}}
+{{Short description|Study of the relationship between education and culture}}
 {{Anthropology}}
+{{Education}}
-'''Educational anthropology''' is a subfield of anthropology and education that examines the cultural aspects of education, including the cultural transmission of knowledge, beliefs, and values. It explores how educational processes are influenced by cultural contexts and how education, in turn, affects cultural change.
+'''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.
-==Overview==
-Educational anthropology focuses on understanding the role of education in different cultural settings. It investigates how education is practiced, perceived, and valued in various societies. This field of study is interdisciplinary, drawing on methods and theories from both anthropology and education.
 ==History==
-The roots of educational anthropology can be traced back to the early 20th century when anthropologists began to study the educational practices of indigenous peoples. The field gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s as scholars sought to understand the cultural dimensions of education in a rapidly globalizing world.
+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==
+* '''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.
-===Cultural Transmission===
+==Methods==
-Cultural transmission refers to the process by which knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values are passed from one generation to the next. Educational anthropologists study how this transmission occurs in formal and informal educational settings.
+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.
-===Cultural Relativism===
+* [[Participant observation]]: A method where the researcher immerses themselves in the community to observe and participate in daily activities.
-Cultural relativism is the principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood by others in terms of that individual's own culture. In educational anthropology, this concept is crucial for understanding how educational practices vary across different cultural contexts.
+* [[Interviews]]: Conducting structured or unstructured interviews with participants to gather information about their educational experiences.
-===Ethnography of Education===
-Ethnography of education involves the detailed observation and analysis of educational settings. Educational anthropologists use ethnographic methods to study classrooms, schools, and other educational environments to understand the cultural dynamics at play.
-==Methodologies==
-Educational anthropologists employ a variety of research methods, including:
-* '''Participant Observation''': Immersing oneself in the educational setting to observe and participate in daily activities.
-* '''Interviews''': Conducting structured or semi-structured interviews with students, teachers, and other stakeholders.
-* '''Surveys''': Using questionnaires to gather data on educational practices and beliefs.
-* '''Document Analysis''': Examining educational materials, curricula, and policy documents.
 ==Applications==
-Educational anthropology has practical applications in:
+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''': Designing culturally relevant curricula that reflect the values and needs of diverse student populations.
-* '''Teacher Training''': Preparing educators to work effectively in multicultural and multilingual classrooms.
-* '''Policy Making''': Informing educational policies that promote equity and inclusion.
-==Challenges==
-One of the main challenges in educational anthropology is addressing the power dynamics inherent in educational systems. Researchers must be aware of their own biases and the potential impact of their work on the communities they study.
-==Also see==
+==See also==
 * [[Cultural anthropology]]
 * [[Sociology of education]]
-* [[Ethnography]]
+* [[Comparative education]]
-* [[Multicultural education]]
-* [[Cultural transmission]]
 ==References==
-* Erickson, F. (1987). Transformation and school success: The politics and culture of educational achievement. ''Anthropology & Education Quarterly'', 18(4), 335-356.
+{{Reflist}}
-* Levinson, B. A., & Holland, D. C. (1996). The cultural production of the educated person: Critical ethnographies of schooling and local practice. ''SUNY Press''.
+==Further reading==
+* 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.
 [[Category:Anthropology]]
 [[Category:Education]]
 [[Category:Social sciences]]
+[[Category:Educational anthropology]]