Anthenia old and new education

A fascinating topic!

Anthropology of Education, both Old and New, refers to the study of education from an anthropological perspective, examining the cultural, social, and historical contexts in which education takes place.

Old Education Anthropology

In the past, education anthropology focused on the following aspects:

  1. Cultural transmission: Studying how cultural values, beliefs, and practices are transmitted from one generation to the next through education.
  2. Socialization: Examining how education shapes individuals' social identities, roles, and relationships within their communities.
  3. Cognitive development: Investigating how education influences children's cognitive development, including language acquisition, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
  4. Societal change: Analyzing how education contributes to social change, such as modernization, urbanization, and globalization.

Some notable anthropologists who contributed to the field of Old Education Anthropology include:

  1. Bronisław Malinowski (1884-1942): Known for his work on the Trobriand Islands, Malinowski studied how education influenced socialization and cultural transmission.
  2. Margaret Mead (1901-1978): Mead's research on Samoa and Papua New Guinea explored the role of education in shaping cultural values and social norms.
  3. Clifford Geertz (1922-2006): Geertz's work on Bali and Indonesia examined the cultural significance of education in shaping individual and collective identities.

New Education Anthropology

In recent years, education anthropology has evolved to incorporate new perspectives and concerns, including:

  1. Critical pedagogy: Examining how education can be used as a tool for social justice, critical thinking, and empowerment.
  2. Neoliberalism and education: Investigating the impact of neoliberal policies on education, including privatization, standardization, and commodification.
  3. Digital education: Studying the role of technology in education, including online learning, digital literacy, and the impact of social media on educational practices.
  4. Globalization and education: Analyzing how globalization affects education, including the movement of people, ideas, and cultural practices across borders.

Some notable anthropologists who have contributed to the field of New Education Anthropology include:

  1. Henry Giroux (1943-present): Known for his work on critical pedagogy and the politics of education, Giroux has written extensively on the role of education in shaping social justice and critical thinking.
  2. Lisa García Bedolla (1965-present): Bedolla's research on education and globalization has explored the impact of neoliberal policies on education, particularly in the context of Latin America.
  3. Brian Street (1945-2017): Street's work on literacy and education examined the cultural and social contexts of literacy practices, highlighting the importance of understanding local knowledge and practices.

These are just a few examples of the many anthropologists who have contributed to the field of education anthropology, both old and new.