Cultural Pluralism : Implications for Curriculum Reform / James A. Banks.

This paper asserts that neither the cultural pluralist nor the assimilationist ideology can adequately guide curriculum reform, and advocates the adoption of a pluralist-assimilationist ideology. The pluralist-assimilationist assumes that while the ethnic group and the ethnic community are very important in the socialization of individuals, individuals are strongly influenced by the common culture during their early socialization, even if they never leave the ethnic community. The primary goal of the curriculum, according to this ideology, should be to help children learn how to function more effectively within their own ethnic culture, within the wider common culture, and within other ethnic communities. The pluralist-assimilationist also assumes that ethnic minorities do have some unique learning styles, although they share many learning characteristics with other children. It is held that curriculum reform must have several major goals: (1) to help individuals to clarify their ethnic identities and to function effectively within their own ethnic communities; (2) to discourage ethnic ethnocentrism; and (3) to help students to develop the ability to make reflective decisions so that they can resolve personal problems and undertake effective social action. Ethnic studies should be viewed as a process of curriculum reform. (Author/JM)

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