RESISTANCE IN MULTICULTURAL COURSES - STUDENT, FACULTY, AND CLASSROOMDYNAMICS

This article explores the objectives and classroom dynamics of multicu ltural courses, describes various forms of student resistance to these courses, and suggests methods of teaching that can prevent and allevi ate student resistance. Teachers should anticipate resistance from stu dents in courses on multiculturalism and can view such challenges to t he material or to the teacher as opportunities to make the issues rele vant to the students' own experiences. Teaching preparation and techni ques, including use of the syllabus as a guiding structure for the cou rse, use of a case studies approach, short feedback evaluations, setti ng of ground rules for discussion, establishing a climate of trust and open inquiry, and using anecdotal texts to illustrate historical info rmation are discussed as ways to engage students and work productively with resistance.