South Asian Communities

This book draws on the strengths that characterize communities and shows how these strengths can be put to use in improving education. Inspired by the South Asian communities with whom she worked, the author considers also Black African and dual heritage communities. Her ethnographic approach used a methodology specifically addressing the imbalance of power so that the suggestions and initiatives are led by the communities themselves. Members of a community have the greatest knowledge of their own culture and of cross-cultural challenges. This makes the book uniquely valuable. The book combines findings from the study, analysis, and theory with practical approaches. Each chapter concludes with creative applications in the classroom'what the children can do. The suggestions for lesson plans and activities are based on the children's own knowledge and socio-cognitive development. South Asian Communities will be invaluable for all those who work or intend to work with South Asian communities. With its extensive references to sociological and psychological research, it will be of interest to students of sociology, cultural studies, and social psychology, and its attention to issues of globalization and western society will attract an international audience.