[lg policy] Philippines: Revitalizing the social sciences

[Harold Schiffman]

Revitalizing the social sciences
By Madrileña de la Cerna
Cebu Daily News First Posted 07:16:00 05/08/2011 Filed Under: Education


For quite a long time now, teachers of the social sciences have not
been given a chance for faculty development while those in
mathematics, natural sciences and languages (particularly English)
have all the chances to go on scholarship and constant training.
Colleges and universities do not seem to give importance to the social
sciences.

The 2011 Social Science Training Seminar held last May 3 and 4, 2011
at the University of the Philippines Cebu Conference Hall on the theme
“Multidisciplinary Perspectives in the Social Sciences” was a most
welcome in-service training for the 99 participants from Cebu, Leyte,
Negros Oriental and Mindanao (Iligan, Zamboanga, Bukidnon, Dapitan).
Organized by the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy in U.P.
Diliman and the Social Sciences Division of U.P. Cebu, the training
seminar is part of the extramural program of updating social science
teachers on the theories, perspectives, issues and strategies in the
fields of anthropology, history (Philippine, Asian, and Local),
political science, sociology, political economy and globalization,
psychology, and development studies. Eleven professors (five from the
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy in U.P. Diliman and six from
the Social Sciences Division of U.P. Cebu College) shared their
experiences, researches, and strategies.

Dr. Michael Tan discussed “Theory and Practice of 21st Century
Anthropology” encouraging the constant critiquing of the 19th century
anthropology which most schools are still espousing. He also added
that there is a new trend of anthropology which is being considered by
medical colleges, this is medical anthropology. Dr. Tan was also the
commencement speaker of U.P. Cebu College last April 27 where he
encouraged the graduates to help promote the Bisaya language and
culture. In his column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer where he wrote
his commencement address, he said “It is time to “rebel” by using the
local Visayan languages. With the Department of Education’s mother
language policy, which requires the use of the main local language in
all public schools up to Grade 3 as the medium of instruction for all
subjects, we will see a revival of many of these languages, which will
actually enrich Philippine culture as a whole. I’ve come to recognize
that there is a “Binisaya” culture that transcends language.” I’m
hoping a restored pride in Binisaya – in language, arts, cooking,
architecture – will contribute to us being Filipino.”

Dr. Neil Santillan shared “Learnings and Strategies in Teaching
Philippine History” which most history teachers never thought of.
Asian History is the most arduous to teach according to Prof. Gil
Gotiangco II in his “Perspectives and Insights in the Teaching of
Asian History.” He pointed out that the poor performance of students
in Asian history is the result of the way the subject is taught in the
secondary level. He stressed that there is a need to study seriously
Asian history since the 21st century is Asian century, specifically
China century.

My turn came with the topic “Enhancing the Teaching of History through
the Integration of Local Heritage and Culture.” Why integrate local
heritage and culture in teaching history? We need to make history
relevant to the lives of students. The local and the regional should
be the main context of the national history. Through the integration,
we provide students with possible community involvement and future
placements. A trip to the Museo Sugbo enhanced and exposed the
participants to the Museum as a very effective source of learning.

Dr. Gerardo Lanuza expounded on “Understanding Sociological Theories
in the Philippine Setting” while Dr. Rhodora Bucoy asserted
“Mainstreaming Gender in Politics: Theory and Praxis Learning.” Prof.
Phoebe Zoe Sanchez discussed the “Regulation School of Political
Economy in the Era of Globalization” in the light of current economic
issues. Prof. Henry Espiritu passionately explained “Good Beyond
Reason: A Postmodern Approach to Ethics” Dr. Flora Generalao and Dr.
Cecilia Conaco shared their experiences and researches in “Insights in
Doing Field Research in Psychology” and “Culture in Psychology:
Theorizing and Research” Dr. Generalao made a study on what makes
people happy is being with other people. Dr. Conaco strongly advocates
the teaching of Sikolohiyang Pilipino. Prof. Felisa Etemadi introduced
her well-being research in “Development Debate: People’s Notion of
Well-being.”

We hope that there will be more updating in the social sciences. We
used to have the Cebu Association of Social Science Educators (CASSE)
from the 1970s to early 1990s where the members met every last
Saturday of the month to tackle content and strategy. There have been
attempts to revive it but the bulk of work given to teachers made it
impossible.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20110508-335280/Revitalizing-the-social-sciences

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