Viewing Education

Through Cultural
Spectacles
By: Dareem Antoine
Leadership MWSU Fall 2014

Culture and Cultural Awareness

Culture is the accumulated store of symbols, ideas and
materials associated with a social system, whether it be an
entire family or society.- Johnson (1995)
Cultural awareness refers to the ability to distinguish
between different cultural practices and ideals. Norton and
Marks-Maran (2014)

Levels of Cultural Awareness

MSU and Cultural Awareness:

International Recruiting

MSU and Cultural Awareness:

Multicultural Services Office

The Office

Student Organizations

Section of Student
Development & Orientation
Provides avenues for students
to showcase and educate
others about their culture
Coordinates Multicultural
Student Organizations

15 active groups on campus

Inclusive of the Midwestern
Indian Student Organization,
African Student Organization,
Black Student Union, MSU
Spanish Club, East Asian
Student Organization.

Example: Caribbean
Student Organization
One of the largest
organizations on campus
Promotes Caribbean Cultural
art forms through Caribfest
and Xpressions
Facilitates the continuation of
the Caribbean Recruitment
Program by welcoming new
students.

MSU and Cultural Awareness:

The Study Abroad Program
MSU provides one of the most valuable Study Abroad programs
each year in Spain (Granada), France (Tours) and England
(London), during either Summer I or II.
The programs in France and Spain provide students with the
ability to learn the language, history and culture of the host
country through total immersion.
The program in England offers over 30 courses required by
different disciplines across the campus.
The office responsible for the program is located in room 104,
Bea Wood Hall.

The Honors Program and Cultural Awareness

Honors Program (HP) by requires students to attend events by
the multicultural organizations each semester and participate in
the Study Abroad Program.
By making this a requirement, the HP makes learning cultural
awareness more formal and structured as it is less of an option.

The HP also promotes cultural awareness by making the Study

Abroad Program more accessible through scholarships.

The Need for Cultural Awareness in

Education
Cultural awareness:
Promotes self-identity
Enhances critical thinking
skills
Prepares you to work in the
global and American labor
markets

Sources:
Diane, and Diane Marks-Maran. "Developing Cultural
Sensitivity And
Awareness In Nursing Overseas."Nursing
Standard28.44 (2014):
39-43.Academic Search Complete.
Web. 24 Oct. 2014.
Johnson, Allan G. The Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology: A
User's Guide to Sociological Language. Malden, Mass., USA:
Blackwell, 1995. Print.
Midwestern State University. Midwestern State University,
2014. Web. 26 Oct.
2014.
Deborah Swallow. Intercultural Communication Adventure
with Little Pilot. Youtube. Youtube. 20 Feb. 2012. Web. 26
Oct. 2014.

Viewing Education Through

Cultural Spectacles