Hidden Curriculum

Hegemony according with the Webster dictionary is influence or authority over others; the social, cultural, ideological or economic influence exerted by a dominant group.  Tozer explains the term hegemony as the unequal power relationships between two or more cultures, ideologies, socioeconomic groups, etc.

The hidden curriculum brings information and knowledge that serves a purpose to a social, cultural, or economic group.  Hidden curriculum sometimes is difficult to identify by the citizens because it is embedded in the curriculum.  People with critical thinking are able to identify the hidden curriculum. 

Cultural hegemony it happens in school todays because the school and the dominant culture, influence the learning, knowledge and outcome of the citizen that will become American society in the future.   Education system is transferring the core knowledge that a dominant culture decides that will benefit the future society. 

As I was reading about cultural hegemony, I remember how education was a way to influence Native Americans to learn and assimilate White – European rationale about land ownership, economic and the possible benefit of changing their mindset from collective culture to a more individualistic culture.  Education provided in the Boarding School was teaching Native American Reading, Math, Science, English Language, etc.  In addition to teach the content areas mentioned before, the hidden curriculum was teaching the Native American to adopt the values and ideologies of the dominant racial and cultural group.  Eventually, Native Americans that returned to their home after their education in the boarding school shared their new values and perspectives with their previous generations.

Cultural hegemony could affect school today because even though that the United States is a diverse society (multicultural) the educational curriculum used in the school system teach about the values of the dominant culture, and dominant economic groups.  The media, the communication tools and the curriculum is a reflection of these groups.  White middle class citizen or wealthy citizens are the group of people that make decision on behalf of the teachers and students in the education system.  The textbooks and curriculum is a reflection of their decision, interests and their values.  Technology such as television, internet, and news on the web as well as other publications are an extension and reflection of the perspectives of the leading culture.

History textbooks are a real example about the hidden curriculum in a cultural hegemony society, its reveals the perspective of one group in the historical event, scarcely reveal the point of view and perspective of all the groups involve in the historical event.  Then, students learn to understand history from one perspective.  Educators need to teach students to learn more than one perspective and to be able to think critically about the historical events.

Reading selections that has been adopted in the public schools are making the effort to select stories that are relevant to the diverse student population in our schools.  Culture and family values from various ethnic groups are part of the new reading selections for elementary school.  Also, the goal of education today, is educate all students to be good and knowledgeable citizen of the American society, the future generation that will direct this country. 

Reference:

Webster dictionary retrieve from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hegemony

Tozer, S. E., Senese, G., & Violas, P.C. (2009). School and society:  Historical contemporary  
      Perspectives (6^th ed.). New York, NY:  McGraw-Hill.