This paper presents an overview of some of Michael Cole's work, starting with his pioneering research in Liberia with the Kpelle (and later, with Sylvia Scribner, studies of literacy with the Vai, 1981), which was formative of his version of a cultural-historical psychology, his translation and interpretations of the work of L. S. Vygotsky and…

In this article, I aim to demonstrate the relationships between the educational policies of the Brazilian and French Guyana governments and the sociopolitical structure of the Wayapi in respect to these educational practices. My main objective is to go beyond the normal concept that the school is an external interference that catalyzes processes…

Discusses important but relatively neglected themes of the 1954 Carmel Conference on anthropology and education: (1) search for philosophical as well as theoretical articulation of education and anthropology; (2) necessity for sociocultural contextualization of educative process; (3) relation of teaching and learning to life cycle; and (4) nature…

An American's description of problems encountered and cultural differences examined while employed as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. (HMV)

This study examines the socialization and enculturation process by which one becomes a school board member, using adult socialization and small group theory to construct a model of the role personalization process. Thirteen new school board members in seven Arizona school districts were interviewed indepth, from the announcement of their candidacy…

This paper examines the origins of the two educational terms--class and curriculum. The authors believe that an understanding of the origins of key words in education may contribute not only to the history of education but also to the wider development of educational theory. The paper argues that the emergence of classes (in the modern sense)…

Ethnography as an inquiry process guided by a point of view rather than as a reporting process guided by a standard technique or set of techniques is the main point of this essay which suggests the application of Malinowski's theories and methods to an ethnology of the school, indicates reasons why traditional ethnography is inadequate to the…

The authors explore the boundaries of ethnography (the use of some model of cultural process in both the gathering and interpretation of data). They define what is studied when one studies "culture," education as cultural transmission, and "good" ethnography as interpretation and cultural translation. (CT)

The nature of pluralism, especially in education, is discussed. The dominant culture in the United States is compared with the African culture. The uniqueness of African Americans and the implications for pluralism are investigated. Specific examples of ways educational personnel might promote educational pluralism are presented. (CJ)

This article is a series of excerpts from 11 papers which the editors requested from foreign colleagues who visited the U.S. Particularily emphasized are the points of difference and similarity between what they see in their own countries and what they see here. (HMV)

Modern educational research has its foundation in the fact finding techniques of the great educational organizers and administrators of the last century. Those individuals brought about the change from education administered in terms of tradition, to education administered in terms of knowledge. They created an atmosphere in education, accepting…

Reports on an on-going study of traditional education in Sierra Leone using examples of traditional crafts. Notes that traditional education is not cut off from life; involves the whole family; is practical and situational, interdisciplinary and multi-methodological; and is geared to the student's interests, talents, and learning patterns. (DHP)

Educators interested in community education have a perspective similar to that of modern anthropologists. Therefore, anthropologists should work with educators in the reorganization of institutions involved in education and socialization. (Author/EB)

It is argued that the term "propriospect" is needed to define the private and subjective view of the world and its contents that each person develops through personal experience. The term can serve anthropologists for the constellation of cultural competencies a person achieves. (SLD)

The following articles on ethnography and education are presented: (1) "A Retrospective Discussion of the State of the Art in Ethnography in Education," by P. Gilmore and D. M. Smith; (2) "Ethnography in Education: Defining the Essentials," by S. B. Heath; (3) "The Structure of Classroom Events and Their Consequences for Student Performance," by…