Hello TIPsters -
I'm teaching The Family and Society this semester, and it fulfills our
race and ethnicity requirement so of course has a strong cultural
component.
I was fortunate enough to get to see Mandela on his first trip to the US
after he was relesed from prison. He appeared at the Oakland Coliseum
in Oakland (!) CA. There was a march around the field of groups of
people in native costume from many countries. It was a wonderful
celebration that continues to impact me - seeing so many cultures
celebrating together.
As part of my class requirements, my students write a paper regarding
their own ethnic background, its beliefs and values about marriage,
children, divorce, sexuality, etc. and their own agreement or
disagreement with these ideas. I have received wonderful papers about
Ireland, Africa, England, Korea, Sweden, etc., etc. I keep wondering
how I can have 150 students share this great info with each other
without total chaos. Some ethnic groups have only one class member,
some many more. Presenting in front of a group of course is difficult
for many, so if there is only one student in the group??? I am thinking
of an end of the year celebration with food, etc. Some teachers use
posters or? Any ideas or suggestions? I have ethical concerns also
about grading students in a manner that would somewhat force them to go
public with their ethnicity. Any suggestions appreciated.
Merrikay Boylan, MS
Cal State Univ Sacramento
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