History education
History/ social studies/ humanities would seem a very likely subject in which to find multiple perspectives and sophisticated understandings of culture. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. In fact, history curricula are often among the least internationalized/globalized of all.
Every nation and people has its own story to tell, and all of us as storytellers have a right to our own interpretations of history. This global variety of viewpoints and intersecting stories makes the larger human story come alive, and makes the study of history the fascinating work that it can be. Through listening to each other's stories, together we create a larger narrative that, over time, comes to describe our common humanity.
But how to do this in the classroom? One time-tested, highly effective strategy is to help students engage with primary sources. Many museums, private and public archives, and other ogranizations catalog and make available the 'raw data of history.' Sometimes, these groups develop this data into information that contextualizes the primary source and prepares it for teachers and students to incorporate in their inquiry and reflection. Many teachers have a grab bag of examples, or a few 'go to' resources that they use to plan effective units and learning engagements.
Here is one you might consider:
Primary Source promotes history and humanities education by connecting educators to people and cultures throughout the world. In partnership with teachers, scholars, and the broader community, Primary Source provides learning opportunities and curriculum resources for K-12 educators.
Among the free resources available from this US-based educational not-for-profit group is Primary Source World. Currently with 9 modules to aid teachers in globalizing the curriculum, these flexible, high-quality multimedia teaching materials explore daily life in Japan; ongoing challenges and hopes in Korea; Latin America and the Cold War; conflict in modern Afghanistan; Native American interactions at the time of European settlement; political and cultural identity in postwar Japan; preserving culture and history in Africa; the US war in Vietnam through Vietnamese eyes; and women's roles in China over time.
Each module (written by identified authors) contains three primary sources, background information on the topic, detailed contexts with multiple teaching activities for each source, key questions, curriculum connections, glossaries, extension ideas, and further resources.
It is an amazing world when such resources are so well done and so easily available.
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