Lesson: Exploring criterion B
Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism
A key skill that is intentionally developed through the CP core, particularly galvanised by PPS, is self-awareness; particularly how one perceives culture and makes assumptions. Criterion B of the reflective project asks students to consider the implications and impact of the ethical dilemma in local and/or global contexts. Being able to do this within the ethical dimension, also plays a part in critical thinking (criterion C) and crucial for the RPPF (criterion E) is the ability to reflect.
Skills in focus:
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding in context
- Show knowledge and understanding of the issue
- Utilise a local/global example of the issue in which the ethical dilemma is embedded to contextualise the ethical dilemma and be able to analyse different perspectives on it
- Illustrate an awareness and understanding of the impact of the ethical dilemma on a local/global community and demonstrate how cultural influences can effect the perceptions of the ethical dilemma
Step 1: Criterion B concerns demonstrating understanding and knowledge of the ethical dimension. This works as Individual/Pair/Group work
Step 2: Exploring Criterion B and C: Ethnocentrism v Cultural Relativism.
a) Ask students to discuss the definitions of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism before watching the video.
b) Reflect on the work in Step 1: Eco-tourism.
Can you see examples of ethnocentrism at work? Have you made any assumptions based on culture? How have you demonstrated cultural relativism?
EXTENSION: As students add complexity to their discussion of cultural impact, they will be demonstrating the skills required of Criterion C: Critical thinking.
Reflection: Through this exercise, how have you demonstrated the skills of critical thinking?
Use this definition here adapted from Richard Paul and Linda Elder[1].
A well cultivated critical thinker
- raises questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely.
- gathers and assesses relevant information, ... [and] comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards.
- thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognising and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications and practical consequences.
- communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.
Further notes
This is very much a lesson exploring assumptions around culture and keeping criterion B in mind. It's always important not to overwhelm students with tackling too many criteria at once but it does pay for them to see the connection between criteria and the outcome of exploring and discussing ethical issues and dilemmas through a specific lens. The outcome of this lesson may be to explore culture and different case-studies in more detail so you may find 2.1 Social justice issues useful. Equally, this might raise a need to explore bias in more detail and the resources Understanding bias and Identifying bias are excellent for building skills.
The result of this lesson and the discussion of a case study where students utilise the criteria skills in an authentic way, might be a good opportunity to build in critical thinking awareness. The page on Critical Thinking expands here greatly, but the use of acronyms such as PEEL, REAL and SEAL might be very relevant and easily accessible to model in discussion. The more authentic discussions students have where they are introduced to a case study through a particular line of inquiry (such as the ethnocentricity and cultural relativism above), the more they will naturally demonstrate critical thinking.
Expanding on Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
This video expands, with more detail, on the impact and implications of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism which students can consider when reflecting on their own judgments and assumptions. Depending on the group, this is a good opportunity for a drama activity, creation of a photo essay or satirical picture.
Footnotes
- ^ Elder and Paul, 2008, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools, Foundation for CP Press.