Culture and Multicultural Education Essay

In the modern world, the society is characterized by diverse populations with different cultures. It is important that individual members of today’s society learn to interpret and interact with other individuals from different social groups. Since the colonial era, society has experienced inequalities based on cultural and social factors. Some cultures have been depicted as more superior and others inferior. The colonial masters created a general notion that theirs was a more superior culture that others needed to assimilate and follow. However, since the revolutions of 1960’s multiculturalism has been embraced and is now accepted as an important facet of learning. Culture Mitchell, B. M. & Salsbury, R. E. (1996) defines culture as a common set of values, beliefs, perspectives and practices that are learned and shared by a particular social group and which contribute to the behavioral outcomes of the said social group. Culture forms a basis on which individuals defines interpret and interact with others. It influences individuals’ aspirations and relationships. Multicultural Education This refers to a system of learning that cultivates educational equity, awareness of and respect for the diversity of the modern society in an educational setting. Thomas, D. G. (1994) posits that multicultural education is based on the realization that children need to learn how to interact with others who are culturally different from themselves. Multicultural education is an important tool that can address cultural differences and bias in an educational setting this is because increased understanding of the nature and basis of differences can enhance peaceful coexistence where the student learn to respect one another as well as the others’ beliefs and practices. In this way multicultural education destroys the basis of bias not only in the educational setting but also in the society at large. Additionally, multicultural education creates a self awareness for the students in such that they learn how to place themselves among their peers which improves their relationships. According to Grant, C. A & Lei J. L. (2001), multicultural education serves an important purpose of eliminating the suspicion that exists between people from different cultures that is usually as a result of misconceptions and misinformed stereotypes. My preconception in light of research. Initially I had thought that the cultural practices I considered extreme like the FGM just needed to be simply done away with but have realized from my research that the people practicing that deserve respect and it should not therefore be imposed on them that they stop the practice. Rather they should be treated with dignity and such approaches as education be used to create awareness of the adverse effects of the practice. Again research has helped me understand that the cause of cultural bias cannot necessarily be blamed on ignorance alone but rather that the issue is multi faceted touching on the very foundations of the modern society. It is important that a better understanding of the cultural question be cultivated in the best forum there is i. e. education setting. As a teacher the responsibility lies heavily on my shoulders to pass this education to the students and the understanding gained will enable me to be more sensitive in the course of instructing my students. I intend to create a classroom atmosphere that embraces diversity. Having a cultural day at school where students display different cultural aspects such as dress, song and dance, and foods is one idea that I would like to implement in the quest of enhancing understanding and appreciation of cultural differences. Reference Thomas D. G. (1994). Implementing multicultural education in teacher education Programme. Childhood education vol. 70 Grant C. A. and Lei J. L. (2001) Global constructions of multicultural education: Theories and Realities Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Mitchell B. M. and Salsbury R. E. (1996). Multicultural education an international guide to research, policies and programme. New York Greenwood press Alex Moore (2000). Teaching and learning pedagogy, curriculum and culture. New York Routledge.

Hantavirus: National Park Service and Popular Camping Site

Hantavirus It seems that the there has been an outbreak of a rare, deadly virus called the Hantavirus in Yosemite National Park. According to the article, there has been an outbreak of hantavirus infections in Curry Village, a popular camping site in Yosemite, and that two people have already died from it. However, this isn’t the first time the hantavirus has spread. In 1993, the virus had been first discovered when a terrifying outbreak unfolded in the Four Corners Area of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.The fatality rate was incredibly high—killing about half the people it infected. But, what exactly is the Hantavirus? The Hantavirus causes a disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can kill an infected within just 10 days. Researchers have learned that the hantavirus is spread by the wastes and saliva of deer mice, whose population in Yosemite is bigger than usual this year.Over the 20 years since the virus has been discovered, experts have been ab le to learn more about the disease thus making them better at saving lives, but not that much better. Currently, there is no official cure. With that being said, I believe that this article was published to alert people about the hantavirus. It’s obvious that the hantavirus is extremely fatal and sneaky, for its symptoms are similar to those of harmless illnesses. People need to be notified to be cautious of their health.It might be in Yosemite for now, but modern technology gives us humans the ability to travel great distances. Although there has been a recent outbreak, I do not think the hantavirus is or will ever be an epidemic. This is because I think that us humans are more than capable to stop the spread of this virus. I remember reading about the SARS outbreak that originated in China a couple of years ago. The CDC and the World Health Organization were immediately put into action as soon as it was found to have hit North America.Flights were grounded, travel within bo rders was locked, and only around 40 people died in the entire continent. Also, I believe that this is the way we can fix this problem, almost like how they fixed the SARS outbreak. We should restrict travel to and from Yosemite so that the spread radius is minimized. Then, we should thoroughly study the virus and develop a cure. Unlike SARS, the cause of hantavirus infections is no longer a mystery. I believe that experts can cure the virus in just a few weeks if this is process is followed.

Unit 5 Part 2 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Unit 5 Part 2 - Research Paper Example Debate in the public domain with regard to gun control can amicably be resolved through legal goodwill paving way for the relevant legislation. In the United States, gun control issues have been a center of interest and debate by the stakeholders torn in between gun ownership legalization or completely banning guns. Several years of debate seemed futile in many instances but with political will, it is likely to end in a reliable solution. This paper will focus upon the debate of gun control presenting the argument that how this ban came to be challenged in the first place and how this ruling of the court was manipulated and used by lawmakers. It will then explain the justifications for arms possession considering the changing society and explain the precautions that will assist and promote proper use of guns. The changes in policy against the laws of gun control started after the ruling of a court in Columbia. According to the Christian Science Monitor (2007), a showdown was looming after a US appeals court ruled against gun ban in District of Columbia. The ruling seemed to depart from a 1939 Supreme Court ruling, even if precedents might not tie a judge. The panel stated in its ruling that owning a gun was a constitutional right. The provisions of the Second Amendment on which the Supreme Court based its ruling go to the extent of allowing a well regulated militia to maintain security of a Free State. The Christian Science Monitor pointed out that the security of the public goes further than allowing militia possess guns legally. Self defense and not mere constitutional right to possess a gun was the key argument in the judgment. Since the law in the District of Columbia stated that guns should be disassembled or trigger locked, it was argued that safety would be enhanced. It was hence the beginning of a platform to legalize the ownership of weapons due to the changing society and the importance of self defense and

Examination topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

Examination topic - Essay Example The idea that informed the process of European integration was to establish institutional framework of shared sovereignty within EU economy. The eventual aim of the integration process is to foster economic integration which will ultimately form a framework for political integration at a later stage. European integration is informed by the regional integration theory whose greatest proponent was Stanley Hoffman (Cini, 2006, p. 19). According to Hoffman, regional integration theory asserts that national governments (which are sovereign) should control the speed and level of integration in the region that they exist in. This is evident in the European Union integration where the national governments are playing active role in controlling the speed and level of European integration. Hoffman argues that this theory requires any amplification of power at â€Å"supranational† be a result of member states’ direct decision. European integration was formed on the basis of region al integration theory which believes that integration which is driven by national governments are based on the economic and political issues that affect individual member states at a given period of time (Wiener and Diez, 2009, p. 33). ... He goes further and states that the existence of control usually allows the member states to make decision on the nature and extent of the cooperation between them without undermining directly their sovereignty. From this definition it can be deduced, therefore, that inter-governmentalism is a concept that treats national governments as primary actors in the process of integration. The proponents of inter-governmentalism see the integration terms and the rules that guide the process, as well as its institutions as a reflection of the relative bargaining power of different national governments who â€Å"pool† its efficiency and effectiveness without abnegating their sovereignty (Sweet and Sandholts, 2007, p. 298). Based on the concept of intergovernmentalism, the European Union has assigned implementation and monitoring of intergovernmental agreements responsibilities to international courts and secretariats as a way of locking each national government into integration commitme nt. This aspect is informed by the logic that through international courts and secretariats, national governments will be made to be the promulgators, initiators, mediators, promoters, and legislators of broadening and deepening of the European integration (Cini, 2006, p. 89). EU laws are divided into three interdependent forms of legislation: primary legislation which are produced through direct negotiations between national governments; secondary legislation which is based on the EU treaties and often take the dimension of decisions, recommendations, directives, or regulations; and the Council of the European Union which is the main body of legislation and