October 3, 2011
'Father of Multicultural Education' to speak about diversity
James A. Banks, considered the “father of multicultural education,” will speak at K-State about “Diversity in America: Challenges and Opportunities for Educating Citizens in a Global Age.”
He will deliver his address from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, in the Town Hall Room of the Leadership Studies Building.
The keynote address will focus on the fact that racial, ethnic, cultural, language and religious diversity is increasing in the United States as well as in nations around the world because of worldwide immigration. The deepening diversity within nation-states and the quest by different groups for cultural recognition and rights are challenging assimilationist notions of citizenship and forcing nation-states to recognize, respect and incorporate diversity.
The professor contends citizenship education should help students develop thoughtful and clarified identifications with their cultural communities, nation-states, and the global community. It should also enable them to acquire the cosmopolitan attitudes, knowledge and values needed to know, to care and to act to make the nation and the world more democratic and just.
Banks is a specialist in social studies education and multicultural education and has written more than 100 articles and written or edited 20 books in these fields. He is known throughout the world as one of the field’s most important founders, theorists and researchers.