Key words
Cultural anthropology.
Objectives
Contacts between people of different cultures have been the norm, since time immemorial, and this trend is set to continue. At a first level we have in mind impromptu exchanges via tourism, work experience abroad,... At the level of the field in which we operate, we see how we come into contact with migrations, refugees, … Dig a little deeper and you can’t help but notice the raging debate and the possible pitfalls of globalization and internationalization. In short, the world finds itself in a fast-spinning wheel of change and we need time to accommodate this newfound dynamism.
This constitutes the main theme, therefore, in this training module. In that sense, the students don’t get a conventional anthropology course, e.g. the study of ‘foreign cultures’ doesn’t enter into it. We stay very close to home and try to focus on living together in a multicultural and diverse society. No matter where you work or live, globalization is now an established fact. This brings new challenges in its train. We have a vocational duty to help shape this multicultural society. Indeed, as a centre of education, we have a strong commitment to good and clean governance in all we undertake. This concerns the debate about ‘the need to integrate’ as a basic model, but goes beyond that.
Within this context, perception (i.e. how we visualize a concept) is worthy of some thought, as it’s at the root of how we behave. In this module, we look at what factors shape our perception of other cultures and how that perception has evolved over time. We also try to take a step towards a critical evaluation of our own prejudices, in the knowledge that this is inescapable. ‘Culture’ is the main line of approach because our perception of cultural anthropology is a useful item (to use as a ‘key’), although we do switch constantly to (cultural) diversity as a general frame of reference.
The purpose of this training module is to shape these objectives by fostering and developing the following core skills from the training profile:
Job-specific core skills
-1. Social workers’ vision in all they undertake is based on a broad-based insight into societal reality.
Social workers comprehend the standpoints and career prospects that exist within their specialist field.
-2. Social workers help develop, focus and promote their professional identity.
Social workers make a constant link between perception and the singularity of their profession: they’re able to formulate a viewpoint on (cultural) diversity and participate actively in the debate by drawing from their specific professional identity.
General core skills
General job core skills
-3. To be able, solutions-led and on his own, to define and to analyse awkward and complex situations in occupational practice and to develop and to apply sound strategies for problem-solving.
Social workers should be able to form an opinion on an issue related to (cultural) diversity, based on several different viewpoints.
General ( generic) core skills
-4. Capacity for logical thought and reasoning power.
Social workers are capable of drawing adeptly from relevant conceptual frameworks in cultural anthropology and then, with that knowledge, to develop a qualitative line of argument. They can advance well-reasoned arguments and apply the theoretical models correctly.
The training module lies on standard educational route 1 because it fits in closely with what a social worker needs in order to perceive a society or culture. In that sense, it is a perfect complement to what is given in the curriculum subject ‘Sociology’. After all, students will obtain an insight much quicker if they are conversant with (and comprehend) the basic concepts of sociology. Philosophy can constitute a similar complement: we often talk about great philosophers who have left their mark on history (we pick and choose, of course, and put them in a pertinent context). Political and social history can also constitute an important complement: the way we perceive other people, other cultures is historically contextualized.
This training module is, of course, also complementary to what is fleshed out (and more specifically per student) in the modules ‘Social Assistant in Practice: Theoretical and practical building blocks 1 and 2’, namely the nature and singularity of a frame of reference.
Topics
An overview of the history of perceiving other cultures:
- In our own history: perception and confrontation with other cultures;
- How the ‘we/them’ dynamic arose (attitudes and relationships);
- Examine our own history more critically.
Basic concepts of Cultural anthropology and its approach:
- Study it in depth;
- Specific examples: the pitfall of the ‘exotic’ is avoided.
Exploration of the analysis and elements that play a role in establishing a certain image of people.
Clear-cut themes such as:
- Religion;
- Time and space;
- Intercultural communication;
- …
We focus here on ‘topical challenges’: a current issue may be included in this part and
then fleshed out.
Specific, real-life application: project-based cooperation of this training module with the ‘Sociology’ and ‘Political and social history’ modules for part of the lessons.
Prerequisites
Entry-level skills
Exit qualifications in secondary education.
Final Objectives
Exit-level skills
The core skills from the training profile listed in the ‘objectives’ section are fully underpinned by the following exit-level skills of the training module:
At the level of knowledge and comprehension
The students:
- Accurately formulate notions and definitions that we use from a cultural anthropology perspective;
- Distinguish the mechanisms that play a role in representing a certain image of people.
At the application level - skills
The students:
- Use the presented frameworks with respect to image representation in specific examples;
- Recognize, in current issues and discussions, the pitfalls of so-called differences between population groups;
- Formulate a viewpoint on the similarity and difference from the position and responsibility of the future social worker.
At the level of integration
The students:
- Concisely express their interest in the subject matter and its practicability in Social Work by doing exercises (whether or not in a small group), by initiating discussion about current affairs and by taking an interest in (cultural) diversity in general.
Materials used
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Syllabus (obtainable from the coursewear department);
This can be supplemented with specific texts.
Study costs
The cost price (syllabus and printing/photocopying costs, if any, for additional texts) is estimated at approx. 4 euros.
There may be an extra charge for study excursion(s).
Study guidance
Exercises and examples of past examinations are discussed in class;
Questions to develop the student’s assimilative cognitive ability can be corrected, on request; Individual consultation (tutoring/monitoring) available as an optional extra.
Contact details: item Lecturer(s).
Teaching Methods
Lectures;
Interactive tutorials: exercises and debate, we discuss and analyze visual course notes;
Project-based work in an interdisciplinary context (in cooperation with the ‘Political and social history’ and ‘Sociology’ modules) for part of the lessons;
Field excursions (e.g. exhibitions);
Guest speakers.
Assessment
An examination for this training module is scheduled in the exam period at the end of the semester in which you took this course.
A written examination (80% of the marks) consisting of:
- 50% [ of the 80%] knowledge/comprehension questions;
- 50% [ of the 80%] application questions (knowledge applied to specific, real-life situations).
The examination is on any part of the entire course content.
The total number of questions is limited to what can be got through comfortably within the allotted time for the exam.
Continuous assessment (20% of the total mark): group work in combination with an individual reflection assignment on the project work.
In exceptional case studies (e.g. if the student was legitimately absent), provision can be made in the continuous assessment for a (catch-up) remedial assignment.
Resits
Includes: an analogous written exam but, this time around, the continuous assessment part is replaced by an extra question on the written exam paper (linked to the project work) about the subject matter of this module.
Lecturer(s)
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