‘I believe in humanity’

Teaching anthropology for times of growth at a Chilean summer school

Abstract

“Education as it always should have beenâ€. That was the motto of the summer school where I taught anthropology for a three-week programme aimed secondary school students. The implications of this slogan went far beyond cognitive goals, aiming at the very acquisition of socioemotional skills and, in my case, the transformation of our idea of humanity and our role within society as human beings. This paper will try to discuss some of the teaching experiences of this period to better understand the nature of an education for uncertain (but hopeful) times and the value of methodologies that address uncertainty as prelude for a personal and social growth.