globalization 499H

Cross Cultural Issues in Education: Learning Through Listening

Ethnic Studies 499/599 Sociology 499/599
Ethnic Studies Spring Field Course 2001

Course Goals:
From March 25 to 29th 2001 twenty students from Oregon State University took a non-traditional approach to understanding
cross-cultural issues in education. The students spent five days visiting Portland, Salem, Independence, and Corvallis in order to listen to the perspectives of various stakeholders (superintendents, legislators, principals, teachers, students, parents, and community advocates). Throughout the week students also reflected on course readings, wrote journal entries, formulated questions for the stakeholders, created mind maps, and watched short videos on the challenges which face Hispanic and African American students in the Oregon school system. Shared reflection on the information obtained through intense listening experiences contributed to the students better understanding of the education issues as presented from different social positions and perspectives. By doing all of these activities students got a better understanding of the ways in which various stakeholder
groups in Oregon are working together and alone in order to serve an increasingly diverse primary and secondary school
population. Course Directors:

Erlinda Gonzales-Berry, Department of Ethnic Studies egonzales-berry@orst.edu

Dwaine Plaza, Department of Sociology dplaza@orst.edu

Course Facilitator
Lisa Gaines, International Research & Development (Training Coordinator) lisa.gaines@orst.edu