Curriculum

Multiculturalism is one of the most important concepts need to be taught in schools today because it provides student with information from and about different cultures and perspectives. For the most part, multicultural elements will be taught in literature and history classes. From what I have read in the “Multiculturalism in School Curriculum” article, Adam Waxler wants to keep the traditional curriculum by using various perspectives from different cultures and viewpoints. If he had to change anything, he would change the books.  I definitely agree with his concept because it can be much faster to implement than trying to revamp a total curriculum. The only disagreement I had with his idea was that some major events in the past that may not have had many different, documented perspectives to get an idea from.   Dr. Hirsch, author of “Toward a Centrist Curriculum: Two Kinds of Multiculturalism in Elementary School”, on the other hand, wants to change the curriculum. I believe that his idea of a curriculum is fair since “1.) It encourages knowledge of and sympathy towards the diverse cultures of the world. 2.) It fosters respect for every child’s home culture as well as for the cosmopolitan school based culture.” I think his idea is fair because it is important for a child to know his or her local and national culture, while learning about different world cultures at the same time.  My only problem with Dr. Hirsch’s concept was that it may take a long time to implement in many schools and to teach even more history on an already large and rich history of the United States.  Overall I think the articles were fair for arguing their view of multiculturalism and its relationship to the curriculum. In my opinion, I would use a blend of both views and their ideas to make an impression on the students.

References:

Waxler, Adam. (n.d.).  “Multiculturalism in School Curriculum”.

Hirsch,Jr., E.D. (1992). “ Toward a Centrist Curriculum: Two Kinds of Multiculturalism in Elementary School”.