Publisher's Synopsis
In this era of increasing emphasis on multicultural education, it is easy to get lost in the twin labyrinths of legal issues and cultural relativism as we seek the path that will allow all members of a diverse society to reconcile their differing visions and hopes for their children's futures. In "The Ethics of Multicultural and Bilingual Education", the authors propose an analytical approach that helps clarify these intercultural issues.;This timely book aims to serve two main purposes. First, it offers readers an introduction to the ethical problems arising from cultural and linguistic differences among students, professional educators and parents in school settings. Second, it demonstrates and assesses the application of three different theories of political morality - Liberal, Democratic and Communitarian - that offer analytical approaches to solving these problems.;The three theories are first explained in depth and then applied to ethical cases. These approaches are each based on a distinct set of moral concepts and patterns of agreement that specify how social decisions should be made. The authors analyse how these factors come into play and assess how well a given theory has worked in dealing with the issues presented in the case. This combination of theoretical understanding and insightful analysis provides an important foundation and encourages further thought and discussion. The book concludes with a chapter of additional cases for discussion that bring rights, moral obligations and cultural diversity to the fore. This book should be useful as a main text in courses and seminars - for in-service teachers, counsellors or administrators - that focus on cultural and ethnic diversity. It should also serve as a welcome supplemental text in a variety of preservice foundations courses. It should also be a useful resource for all concerned with multiculturalism and the role of ethics in education.
