The Multicultural Classroom

Helen E. Hartnell, Associate Professor
Golden Gate University School of Law

OVERVIEW: THE FOUR P'S

• PARAMETERS
• PEDAGOGY
• PERFORMANCE
• PROFESSION

1. PARAMETERS
   1. The increasingly multicultural classroom is common ground shared by international specialists and non-specialists alike.
   2. Handling the international: accommodating vs. mainstreaming.
2. PEDAGOGY
   1. The challenge: tearing down cultural barriers, while simultaneously building awareness of and appreciation for difference.
   2. "Meet Someone Halfway: Communication is the Beginning of Understanding."
   3. Language vs. culture: creating an environment that is conducive to learning.
3. PERFORMANCE
   1. What constitutes learning?
   2. The dilemma of standards: one vs. many?
   3. What can be done about the plagiarism problem?
4. PROFESSION
   1. Decoding the dream: "I want to be an international lawyer."
   2. Helping students to realize their ambitions.