Paper short abstract:

Engaging global perspectives through local lenses in the study of social and cultural anthropology in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP).

Paper long abstract:

The International Baccalaureate (IB) was founded in 1968, and anthropology was one of the original subjects offered, long before many universities had courses for undergraduates. Social and cultural anthropology (SCA), as it is known today, has grown steadily over the years as a subject in the IB Diploma Programme, and in many respects it is one that most implicitly embodies the essence of an IB education - fostering the development of students who are globally aware and ethically sensitive.

This presentation seeks to discuss some of the rewards and challenges of designing an anthropology course that is relevant and meaningful for students in locations from Argentina to Swaziland. It will reflect on how understanding the interaction of local and global has informed my current role: at the global level this means designing a framework of study through which teachers at a local level - in their choice of ethnographies, exploration of core terms, ideas and themes, as well as theoretical perspectives - provide opportunities for students to become acquainted with anthropological perspectives and ways of thinking and to develop critical, reflexive knowledge, as well as engaging them in a distinctive approach to intercultural awareness and understanding. Through my own experiences, at a local level as a classroom teacher, and at a global level as the lead in developing the DP SCA course, I hope to share with you some of my thoughts on how we as educators can improve access, participation and success for students of anthropology.