EDUC/CEP 300 – Childhood Education: Teaching & Multicultural Competence (Community Engagement Practicum)
Discipline(s): Education, Sociology
Credits: 3
Available: fall semester 2025, spring semester 2026
Instructor: Francesca Passeri, Ph.D.
Course Type: Seminar & Practicums
Taught in: English
Course Fee: -
Formerly CEP 301 – Practicum Education – Teaching the Other: Study Abroad Teaching & Multicultural Competence
Practicum Description
The aim of this practicum is to make it possible for students to participate in a real and significant teaching environment in Italy, and to introduce them to the challenges posed to the traditional school system by a diverse, multicultural society. Students will have the possibility of collaborating in teaching English in a school in Prato or in Florence. In either case, students will be exposed to a diverse pupil population. Readings and activities in the seminar will guide students through the issues involved in teaching a multi-cultural classroom, as well as to the peculiar features of the local Italian culture and identity.
Seminar Description
The seminar meets once a week, and is based on students’ reports about their work, readings and discussions. The seminar will focus specifically on the issue of social and cultural diversity. Students will be introduced to the historic linguistic and cultural diversity of Italy as well as to the “new diversities” due to immigration. The challenges posed by old and new diversities to teachers and traditional teaching methods will also be discussed.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
By the end of the practicum, the successful student is expected to
- have a solid experience teaching to children from different cultures within a different school system
- be aware of the issues involved, and the skills required, to teach a multicultural class
- understand how the challenges posed by globalization and immigration are dealt with in different national school systems, such as the Italian and American ones
Course descriptions may be subject to occasional minor modifications at the discretion of the instructor.