“Meeting our communities’ lifelong educational needs” C&I 567: Curriculum & Culture 3 Credits Summer 2010, MTWRF 8-11:50 a.m., Room, ED 414 Instructor: Yer Thao, Ph.D. Office: School of Business Administration Building, SBA 594 Office Hours: By Arrangement please call or email (503) 725-8267; E-mail: thaoy@pdx.edu Course Description “Understanding the cultural basis of instructional materials in curriculum development and teaching and how the organization of knowledge in a subject area and the explanation of new ideas are influenced by cultural root metaphors. Planning and administering the instructional materials center in the modern school. The cooperative roles of the teacher, administrator, and librarian in curricular development and materials.” 2003-2004 Portland State University Bulletin p. 222. Conceptual Framework This course will address the following Graduate School of Education’s Conceptual Framework: 1) Diversity & Inclusiveness • to work in diverse settings • to promote inclusive and therapeutic environments 2) Research-Based Practices & Professional Standards • to critically analyze and implement research-based practices • to demonstrate appropriate professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions 3) Impact on Learning and Development • to ensure all learners and clients succeed • to use technology to enhance learning • to influence policy and provide leadership for organizations 4) Evidence-Informed Decision Making • to use evidence to solve problems of practice and make educational and therapeutic decisions 1 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Five Core Propositions Proposition 1: Teachers are Committed to Students and Learning 1.1 NBCTs are dedicated to making knowledge accessible to all students. They believe all students can learn. 1.2 They treat students equitably. They recognize the individual differences that distinguish their students from one another and they take account for these differences in their practice. 1.3 NBCTs understand how students develop and learn. 1.4 They respect the cultural and family differences students bring to their classroom. 1.5 They are concerned with their students’ self-concept, their motivation and the effects of learning on peer relationships. 1.6 NBCTs are also concerned with the development of character and civil responsibility. Proposition 2: Teachers Know the Subjects They Teach and How to Teach Those Subjects to Students. 2.1 NBCTs have mastery over the subject(s) they teach. They have a deep understanding of the history, structure and real-world applications of the subject. 2.2 They have skill and experience in teaching it, and they are very familiar with the skills gaps and preconceptions students may bring to the subject. 2.3 They are able to use diverse instructional strategies to teach for understanding. Proposition 3: Teachers are Responsible for Managing and Monitoring Student Learning. 3.1 NBCTs deliver effective instruction. They move fluently through a range of instructional techniques, keeping students motivated, engaged and focused. 3.2 They know how to engage students to ensure a disciplined learning environment, and how to organize instruction to meet instructional goals. 3.3 NBCTs know how to assess the progress of individual students as well as the class as a whole. 3.4 They use multiple methods for measuring student growth and understanding, and they can clearly explain student performance to parents. Proposition 4: Teachers Think Systematically about Their Practice and Learn from Experience. 4.1 NBCTs model what it means to be an educated person – they read, they question, they create and they are willing to try new things. 4.2 They are familiar with learning theories and instructional strategies and stay abreast of current issues in American education. 4.3 They critically examine their practice on a regular basis to deepen knowledge, expand their repertoire of skills, and incorporate new findings into their practice. 2 Proposition 5: Teachers are Members of Learning Communities. 5.1 NBCTs collaborate with others to improve student learning. 5.2 They are leaders and actively know how to seek and build partnerships with community groups and businesses. 5.3 They work with other professionals on instructional policy, curriculum development and staff development. 5.4 They can evaluate school progress and the allocation of resources in order to meet state and local education objectives. 5.5 They know how to work collaboratively with parents to engage them productively in the work of the school. Course Objectives Course Objectives Examine their own historical and cultural backgrounds and privileges relative to those experiences of others. Select educational materials that provide an antibias curriculum for culturally diverse students. Examine and reproduce curriculum materials to benefit diverse students. GSE Conceptual National Board of Framework Professional Standards (NBTPS-Proposition) MA/MS Program Outcomes GSE: 1,2,3,4 NBTPS: P1, P2.1, P4 K3: Multiple perspectives of learning D1: Respect for knowledge GSE: 1,2.3.4 NBTPS: P2, P4 K6: Critical examine knowledge claims in various content areas associated with school curriculum (know what counts as inquiry in various disciplines) D3: Commitment to diversity & to anti-bias, antiracist education 3 Assignments, Documentation & Evidence of Student’s work Reading discussion Class activity Final project Textbook analysis Reading discussion Final project Create and sustain educational environments to accommodate all students. Identify traditional and contemporary values of culture and language, and understand the relationships among culture, curriculum and practice; Develop conceptual tools for analyzing educational goals, theories, practices, structures and outcomes within the socio-cultural contexts of public education Apply understanding to social justice of local community, global society and world view of culture, language, race, gender, and disability of education provided through schooling; GSE: 1,2.3.4 NBPTS: P3, P5 Reading discussion Observation project Final project NBPTS: P2, P3 Reading discussion Class activity NBPTS: P5 Class activity Reading discussion Final project K1: The sociopolitical contexts of classrooms from early childhood through high school D4: Commitment to promoting social justice through education GSE: 1,2,3,4 K5: Critical examine theory & practice as integrated and inseparable D4: Commitment to promoting social justice through education A6: Communicate effectively with parents & the public GSE: 1,2,3,4 D4: Commitment to promoting social justice through education K4: Philosophical concepts & movements that impact curriculum and instruction 4 Identify experiences and actions of current influential culture of education in the American society. Develop and understand in cross-culture analysis, involving a working knowledge of one’s own ethnic heritage and the ability to make constructive comparisons with at least one other ethnic group. A4: Defend points of view with good reasons, listen effectively to other points of view GSE: 1,2,3,4 NBPTS: P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 K8: Broaden their bases of understanding and knowledge in various curricular areas D1: Respect for knowledge D4: Commitment to promoting social justice through education A7: Enter the world of curricular development, classroom organization with imagination & sense of purpose Reading discussion Class activity Final project Course Format: The format is an inquiry based Constructive approach to teaching and learning. It is incumbent on each of you to take what you need from this course. Therefore, critical dialogue is the essential element through which each student interprets the readings accordingly. Our dialogue will draw on the following: (1) the experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge of all class members; (2) critical yet, thoughtful engagement, reflection, and preparation of the readings, and shared teaching activities; (3) in class videos and guest speakers. You will also conduct your own research and share this with colleagues. Disability Services 5 Students needing accommodation should immediately inform the course instructor. Students will be referred to Disability Services (503-725-4005) to document their disability and to obtain support services when appropriate. Assignments Evaluation Class Participation and Attendance 30 points Curricula Text Examination Assignment 15 points Article Discussion 10 points Multicultural Resources Center Report (Extra Credit) 5 points Culture Observation Report 15 points Culture Dish/Recipe 10 points Culture Research Paper 20 points 105 points Total Points Assignments Class Participation and Attendance (30 points) One or two candidates are responsible for facilitating a portion of the class discussion on assigned chapters/readings in text, “Bridging Culture”. Do Not summarizes the readings. Instead you are encouraged to prepare an outline (to hand in to the instructor) including the following: written discussion questions, development of a format for conducting the discussion, and an experiential activity (e.g., simulations, educational games, visualization, cooperative learning). The discussion etc. should demonstrate the salient ideas/concepts of the chapter. The dialogue and activities should be framed in a cogent manner that demonstrates your groups’ ability to use the key concepts effectively to obtain multiple perspectives. It should also provide clear example(s) of how to embed these into classroom practice. The group needs to come up with an activity exemplify from the idea or ideas of the chapter to teach/share to the class during the chapter discussion/presentation. Overall, the groups will be rated on your interpretation of the key ideas/issues raised in the readings; and your preparation and engagement with the material. Active participation in discussions, response to reading assignments, and participation in daily group activities are vital to the overall success in this course. (10pts. See the attached rubric for detailed rating). (A minimum of 2-3-page summary with your reflection about the chapter reading and discussion questions must turn it in along with your example activity for a grade) [10pt] immediately after the group finish presenting the chapter. 6 Attendance (20pts) Candidates are expected to attend all class sessions. An absence should only occur because of an illness or an emergency. As soon as possible, please call to let me know you will be absent from class. This class meets ONLY for two weeks (eight class meetings). Please turn off or silent your cell phone and no Internet surfing during class time. If a candidate has one or more absence then it is recommended to drop the class and wait to take it on winter 2011 term. Curricula Text Examination Assignment (15 points) Select a unit/text of their choice in preparation for a class and a grade level assignment (or teaching interest). Carefully examine (access) the text/package for representations of cultural content. Does the content represent multiple content sources or is it from a monocultural perspective (knowledge) base? If you have no access to classroom textbook then you can borrow it from MISL (Metropolitan Instructional Support Laboratory, ED 310) on the third floor inside the School of Education building. Text: General Information Title Author Publisher/Date/ISBN Grade Level/Subject if known In assessing the text reflect on and respond to the following: Does the content affirm diversity? Why/Why Not? Does it depict, represent, ethnic, gender, disability or class cultural stereotypes or roles? Does the text provide students who are members of a diverse ethnic/cultural/racial group much with which to identify? Why/Why Not? Overall, write a short reflection of your experience about this text analysis. Scoring Rubric: 1= No Evidence 2=Emerging Evidence 3=Substantial Evidence o Substantial Evidence of knowledge infusion What did you notice? Whose perspective is of most worth? o Emerging Evidence of knowledge infusion What surprised you? What’s missing? o No Evidence of knowledge infusion How can you use it? What will you do to change this? What specific and general content knowledge will you embed? Explanation of rubric criterion performance rating is attached. The class instructor will keep this assignment as part of the MA/MS program evaluation. If any student does not want the program to use his/her paper for program evaluation please discuss it with the instructor. All students’ name will be kept it confidential. 7 Article Discussion (15 points) There will be articles handout during class to read overnight. Each candidate must come to class and ready to submit in one reading discussion question about the article with a short summery reflection of the article. The summary reflection should include both its theoretical perspective and its implications for the work of the article. You should have one to two sentences highlight or unpack the author’s/authors’ main ideas. All together, it should be no more than 1 page. Multicultural Resources Center Report (Extra Credit 5 points) Each candidate is required to visit the Multicultural Resources Center on your own time. The center is located inside the historical society building. While visiting the center you must carefully explore what types of materials available for educators. You take a culture box and look through the box. Then, you write a 1-2 page reflection of what you observed in the cultural box. Those who know about the center you need to pick culture box that you have not yet look at it. Make an appointment by contacting Karen or drop in the center’s open hours: Karen Ettinger, Director K-12 Education World Affairs Council of Oregon 503-274-7488 Cell 503-803-0439 www.worldoregon.org Click K-12 Ed karen@worldoregon.org Cultural Observation Project (15 points) As part of the course requirement, each candidate is required to make an observation for a minimum of 25 minutes of a cultural event outside his/her culture at any settings. You need to find a culture of which you are not a member. Candidates can easily done this observation at any shopping centers, restaurants, church events, parks or community events. Candidates need to take notes about how people respond to one another in the kind of setting they at and write up a 3-4-page paper report how you come to understood the surface culture of this group. Your report must have a description of the place, an idea of the culture, what cultural characteristics and/or culture context observed, and what have you learned and how you felt? What information did you observe that was helpful to you identifying the culture of this family? This project can be a challenge to some people but it allows them to explore their personal fear, ego and diffuse personal fears. This project will be shared in class and due on 7/15/10. Culture Dish/Recipe Assignment (10 points) Each candidate needs to bring him/her favorite culture dish with a written recipe to share with the class members. It can be a traditional dish that passes down from your own culture heritage or from other culture. Be prepare to share a little history about the dish and from what culture? A dish without recipe will get only 5 points. Due 7/15/10 Culture Research Paper (20 points) Each candidate is expected to write a 5-8 page research paper involving a family from a culture that is outside the candidate’s own cultural background such as African-American, Native American, Asian (Hmong/Mong, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese), Middle Eastern 8 (Turkish, Iran, Arabic), Hispanic (Mexican, Latino), Russian, Polish, and Others. This project encourages candidate to explore a culture outside his/her comfort zone. This project can be a continuation of research from your Cultural Observation Project in which you will be doing a more thorough research on the deep culture of this culture or it can be a complete different family/culture. Your research questions should be framed around the perspectives and strategies how the family interacts with the larger American society and the public school system. Do the family know anything about the curriculum materials and culture of American schools? What do the family know or not know and why? What is the family’s culture? What kinds of guidance do the family used to help them maintain their culture and tradition? What are some strategies they used to adapt to the American mainstream culture? What are some cultural difficulties the family is coping with living in the United States? And what is their dream for their children? I would like you to close this research by allowing the family to describe your culture from their point of view. What is your response and reaction to the family’s comments? The paper must include at least three-five pieces of professional literature (e.g. refereed journals, books or book chapters) to support your knowledge, argument and findings. Candidates must use fictitious names of the family members they interviewed. See the attached rubric to assess this assignment. The final project written report will be due on July 29th, 2010. (Note: You can do this project as a pair, but it must between10-15 page.) Note: While writing up your final report or case study make sure to honor the privacy and confidential of your participant(s), and use pseudonyms to conceal their identities. For some reason that you will need a consent form for the participants to sign and agree to participate. You can create you own consent form or I can provide a blank consent form as an example. This is only a class project and it is not necessary need a consent form. Quality of Paper All papers must be typed, double-spaced, 1” margin on all sides, carefully proofread (use spellchecker) with a title page, which lists the paper title, the name, the course number and title, and the instructor’s name and date. All papers are due on their due date. There will be no excuse for late work and no make up work. If any candidate plans to be out of town he/she may turn the work in early or ask a classmate to turn it in for you. Advanced email submission is also permitted. Paper and references must be cited in American Psychological Association (APA) style. Candidate needs information on APA citations ask me and I will provide it to you. All presentations for this course can be done in Powerpoint, multimedia, transparencies, or other visual aids. Advanced notice to the instructor is required if any computer or other equipment is needed for the presentation. Important Note: Active participation and discussion in this class is expected and all candidates must demonstrate respectful and courteous behavior towards other candidates’ diverse opinions. In addition, professional behavior includes: a) no 9 discriminatory comments or behavior; and b) willingness to work with all colleagues in any form of grouping/pairing activities. Candidates need to pay attention to people’s intention as well as the effects of their words, and take responsibility for them. I do not want any candidate to feel left behind or be unheard in class. If you have an issue either related to the class assignments or about the class itself I would appreciate it that you come and talk to me in person. I am available to meet you either before and after class or by appointment during office hours. Take responsibility/be accountable for your own actions and behaviors. Turn off or put pulse all cell/mobile phones. Take charge of your personal and professional depth/breath of learning. Let’s learn and have fun together. Disposition Concerns: Dispositions become increasingly important to the development of collaboration skills, communication skills, reflective teaching and responsible behavior. For further information please consult with the university web site at http://www.ess.pdx.edu/osa/policies-codes.htm or Portland State University Student Conduct Code #577-031-0136. Any student suspected of, based on substantiated evidence, academic dishonesty such as plagiarism and cheating, will be dismissed from the class. Student’s Accumulated Grades: Points Grade 95-100 90-94 85-89 80-85 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 Below 60 A AB+ B BC+ C CD to F Required Reading Trumbull, E. & et al. (2001). Bridging cultures. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers Optional Readings Articles will be distributive in class Recommending Readings Hall, E. (1981). Beyond culture. New York: Anchor Books 10 Thao, Y. J. (2006). The Mong oral tradition: Cultural memory in the absence of written language. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Thompson, G. L. (2004). Through ebony eyes: What teachers need to know but are afraid to ask African American Students. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Valdés, G. (1996). Con respecto: Bridging the distances between culturally diverse families and schools. New York: Teachers College Press. Schedule of Class Events Week 1 Monday 7/5/10 July 4th (Observed Independent Day) Tuesday 7/6/10 Welcome! Introduction Video Presentation/Open Class Discussion (Becoming American) Group Work (Model of School) Reading Groups and Book Groups Sign Up Curricula Assignment clarify Lecture: Brief American History of Education Group work time Homework Readings Wednesday 7/7/10 Homework Readings Thursday 7/8/10 Trumbull et al: 1 and Kivel’s article “Culture of Power” Reading Discussion/Activity, Trumbull et. al, 1. and Kivel’s article Workshop on Culture Video and Discussion (Helpful to do observation and final projects). Clarify observation project School’s Mission and Curriculum Group work time Trumbull et al: 2 & Thao’s article “Empowering Mong Students” Reading Discussion/Activity, Trumbull et al. 2. And Thao’s article Lecture: Working with culturally diverse students 11 Example of Video Presentation/Discussion (Mong Video Segments Living with 2 Cultures) Article Discussion Group work time Homework Readings Trumbull et al: 3, and Darder’s Article, “Creating the Conditions for Cultural Democracy in the Classroom” Friday 7/9/10 Week 2 Monday 7/12/10 Homework Readings Tuesday 7/13/10 Fieldwork “Independent or Group Work” Reading Discussion/Activity, Trumbull et all: 3 and Darder’s article, Video Presentation/Discussion “Richard Rodriguez: Victim of two cultures” Article Discussion Group work time Trumbull et al: 4, work on Curricula Text Exam Assignment and reading to share in class. Reading Discussion/Activity, Trumbull et al., 4 Video Presentation/Discussion “Fear of Learning at Hoover Elementary School” Common Assignment (Curricula Text Exam Share, Make sure to bring your textbook due share) Group work time Homework Readings Trumbull et al: 5, and Kivel’s article, “Entitlement” and Reyhner’s article, “Integrating Indigenous Studies Across the Curriculum Wednesday 7/14/10 Reading Discussion/Activity, Trumbull et al. 5 and Kivel’s article and Reyhner’s article Video Presentation/Discussion “A.K.A. Don Bonus = Diary by a Cambodian High School Student” Clarify Final Project Lecture: Changing the School’s Cultural Context and Intercultural Sensitivity Activity 12 Group work time Homework Readings Trumbull et al: 6 + Appendix, prepare your culture dish with recipe Hackman’s article, “Five Essential Components for Social Justice Education” Thursday 7/15/10 Reading Discussion/Activity, Trumbull et al. 6 + Appendix and Hackman’s article Guest Speaker, Mike Sweeney, Retired Teacher Cultural Dish and Recipe-Share Due Cultural Observation Project Sharing and Due Multicultural Resources Center Report due July 29th, 2010 Culture Research Project turn in by July 29th, 2010 Course Evaluation End of Summer 2010 Syllabus—Dr. Thao (See all Attachments) Curricula Text Examination Assignment CI 567: Curriculum and Culture Rubric Explanation of Criterion Performance Rating Summer 2010 Content & Elements of assessing questions No Evidence of Knowledge Infusion (5 pts) Emerging of Evidence of Knowledge Infusion (10 pts) Does the content No analysis plan It has some affirm diversity? and evaluation data explanation. It Why/Why Not? requires more clearly articulated how the text content affirmed diversity. Does it depict, Rationale is brief Report has data represent, ethnic, and no mention of include some gender, disability, or observation data and attention to how the class cultural compiling. text devotes to each stereotypes or roles? culture group. Explained minimal who race, sex, culture stereotypes, and roles. Does the text No explanation Text analysis has 13 Substantial Evidence of Knowledge Infusion (15 pts There is a clear explanation how the content affirm diversity. It has great examples and rationale. It provides overwhelming data; problem is clearly defined, fully explored, compiled, and acknowledged culture values. Text analysis takes provide students who are members of a diverse ethnic/cultural/racial group much with which to identify? Why/Why Not? what the text has provided to culturally diverse students. No assessment is demonstrated. Overall, a short reflection of your experience about this text analysis. No clear understanding of reflection. clearly articulated the diverse culture representation of students but not explicitly deal effectively with its concerns for all culturally diverse groups. It presents some professional goals that are not strongly related to evaluation of text. It has a vague reflection to how the text deliberately used. into account different culture representation of students. It is very thoughtful and differentiated across all culturally diverse groups. It discusses in detail ideas for carefully examining text for future instruction. It provides great suggestion and explanation makes reference to theory and research. CI 567: Curriculum and Culture Summer 2010 Class Reading Discussion/Activity Rubric Excellent Introduction is clear; Excellent, interactive content discussion, multiple perspectives Facilitated discussion clear, complete analysis and synthesis of ideas in readings Uses several relevant provocative activities and examples; Excellent integration of content; language is professional, and free of jargon, bias. Excellent professionalism and Good Introduction is easy to grasp; Good examples of content, some perspectives Facilitated discussion mostly clear, complete and accurate Great integration of content; uses varied examples and activities. Language is mostly free of bias; and free of grammar errors. Good professionalism and Acceptable Introduction can be understood/some aspects not well defined, Fair examples of content, limited perspectives Facilitated discussion somewhat clear, complete, and accurate Adequate integration of content; language is professional free of bias; several grammatical and spelling errors are evident. Fair professionalism and delivery 14 Not Acceptable Introduction is not provided, or is not easy to understand; Poor examples of content, no perspectives Facilitated discussion not clear, incomplete and inaccurate Unacceptable, poor use of language, sentences have several grammatical and spelling errors and language is not professional. Unprofessional and dis-organized delivery Engaging and persuasive; involves audience, peers. delivery Interesting; Sometimes involves the audience, peers. Slightly engaging; Seldom involves the audience, peers. Not engaging; Minimally involves the audience, peers. CI 567: Curriculum and Culture Summer 2010 Culture Research Paper Rubric Criteria Clear Focus Excellent (20) Proficient, Interesting, Shows originality of thought Paper Organization Well organized, Logical development, and Persuasive Support of Claims/Eviden ce Original and insightful support and evidence Content Offers excellent responsive to research questions and appropriate cultural context APA guideline; Adheres to APA APA Citations guideline and citations Paper Quality and Creative Presentation Excellent professionalism and delivery; Engaging and persuasive Proficient (10) Focus point is clear, Shows some originality of thought Needs Work (5) Focus point is vague, Not well support, No originality of thought Shows some Paragraphs are organized, Some incoherent, Lack of clear points and logical, No develop thesis Connections and have no focus Each point is Some points are supported by unsupported, clearly relevant Support offered citations and/or does not relate to example the points Addresses some Minimal response research questions to research and appropriate questions and cultural context appropriate cultural context Generally adheres Occasionally to APA guideline adheres to APA and citations guideline and citations Good Fair professional professionalism and and delivery; delivery; Interesting Slightly engaging Incomplete (0) No focus point or overall point Paragraphs are not related to the thesis No reference to primary and secondary support sources No evidence of any responsive to research questions and appropriate cultural context Does not adhere to APA guideline and citations Unprofessional and dis-organized delivery; Not Engaging Note: It is expected that your paper should be free of grammatical, spelling errors and language is professional. 15