Learning with Ethnology

Project Number: G2

Country: Germany

Institutions/Departments: Working Group at the Department for Ethnology, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

URL: http://ikule.de/projekte/wissenschaft/

Publication/Material: Hetzel, Desirée / Müller-Mathis, Stefan 2016. „Multi-sited“: Überlegungen zum didaktischen Umgang mit Vielstimmigkeit. Standbein Spielbein 105:14-16.

Project leader and contact person: Verena Schneeweiß ag.ethnologische.bildung@web.de

Duration: since 2006

Short Description:

The association, IkulE e.V., developed out of a student-led initiative at University of Heidelberg’s ethnology department. It’s aim is to promote ethnological knowledge in educational projects. From 2006, the association conducted several successful projects, which led to its official establishment in 2009. The association’s approach is based on the assumption that culture is dynamic and changeable. Drawing on Marcus’ (1999) theory of "multi-sited ethnography," ikulE e.V. developed the concept of “multi-sited learning” to highlights the interconnected and relational aspects of culture and cultures. Educational projects build on current ethnological and pedagogical approaches to culture, encouraging participants to reflect on their own cultural background and engage with people of “foreign” cultures.

The association’s educational goals are: 1) teaching culture (regional and local knowledge); mediating "culture" (reflection on what culture is), and bringing research, science and practice into dialogue. Facilitators introduce different perspectives on things, narratives, conflicts, life stories and ‘othering’ to develop understandings of cultural difference and similarity and foster critical engagement with modes of representation of culture. The association offers cultural training to multipliers, preparation for stays in South Asia and the South Pacific, and intercultural education in schools and extracurricular venues. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their positionality and question their cultural assumptions, while familiarising themselves with different cultural perspectives. Cultural training programmes for adults are tailored to the specific needs of the respective audience.

Implementation: since 2006

Target Group(s), age & context: pupils, teachers, multipliers; all ages.

Approach/Method: Multi-sited learning

Type: Intercultural training for multipliers, and adult education; intercultural education in schools.

Funding: Association fees

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.