Introduction to Multiculturalism and Cultural Diversity

All course materials are open and available free on the campus site [videos etc.] However, an important part of the course is experiential learning simulations and role-plays which take place in our virtual worlds. If you want to be a part of this world and get a certificate for the course, there is a fee. (Groups of students from colleges have the fee arranged through the college), Click on register to be part of the virtual world experience!

What do we learn?

You will deal with personal and group identity and the connection between our identities and the surrounding society.
You will examine whether multiculturalism is an existing fact or a value in society, and you will learn about its many benefits.
You will discuss, in-depth, dilemmas of multiculturalism in the global world, and get to know different perspectives on those issues.
You will study empathy and how one can foster empathy between groups.
You will consider multiculturalism in classrooms, the tendency to divide into categories in general and among students in particular, and ways to deal with it.
You will discuss perspectives on language, the mother tongue, and the connection between language and culture.
Finally, you will examine how the issues we have looked at are expressed in society.

תיאור:

This course will be different from any you have taken until now, both pedagogically and technologically! The assignments and activities on the course take place in a unique virtual world. Until now the emphasis in courses on multiculturalism has been to introduce the student to the other by means of films, stories, and articles and not through getting to know the other personally, and even stepping into his/her shoes.

However, in this course, in order to get to know the others and be exposed to different cultures, we will approach multiculturalism from a number of angles; we will enter a virtual space where we will meet people and get to know something about their worlds. During the course, you will work collaboratively with six other students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Each group will receive a virtual island and will build knowledge together. You will take on tasks that include simulations and role play.

Each study unit will broaden perspectives on the topics through the academic literature, and we will discuss the implications for education and classroom practice. During the units, you will be asked to reflect and share with your group your experiences.

You will deal with personal and group identity and the connection between our identities and the surrounding society.
You will examine whether multiculturalism is an existing fact or a value in society, and you will learn about its many benefits of it.
You will discuss, in-depth, the dilemmas of multiculturalism in the global world, and get to know different perspectives on those issues.
You will study empathy and how one can foster empathy between groups.
You will consider multiculturalism in classrooms, delving into the tendency to divide into categories in general and among students in particular, and ways to deal with it.
You will discuss perspectives on language, the mother tongue, and the connection between language and culture.
Finally, you will examine what is happening in multiculturalism in the world today.
The course concludes with an escape room in the virtual world which goes over the material covered in the course.