South–South Comparisons: A Syntegrated Approach to the Teaching of the Arts for Primary School Teacher Preparation in South Africa and Australia

Abstract

In light of the tendency to present the arts in an integrated fashion in many education systems worldwide, this article examines the consequences of integration for discrete art forms. In particular, we investigate the advantages of adopting a syntegrated approach to the facilitation of arts in teacher preparation. A specific comparison between the implementation of arts curricula in South Africa and Australia is made. The disjuncture between policy and practice in arts education that has been reported internationally needs constant monitoring. We conclude that the heart of curriculum transfer and transformation lies in the classroom.

Keywords:

• arts education
• integration
• syntegration
• transnational

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Corrigendum

Notes

1. In syntegrated arts education, interactions among the arts are the epistemological and human links that allow the possibility of guided experiential arts development. Such an approach secures the survival of the various art disciplines within curricula. Syntegrated arts education focuses on the process in its entirety and not the end product alone. The process aims to develop skills and knowledge, instead of merely encouraging whatever results from unguided experiential learning. This approach is derived from an optimistic vision for arts education that offers core content and interdisciplinary modules and/or units that are selected according to the needs of the learner and the demographics of the community. The culminating result is a syntegrated arts learning experience.

2. Such policymaking includes both hard and soft policies, as described by Jones (2009).

3. In this article, the terms learner(s) and student(s) are used, but not pupil(s); teacher(s) and lecturer(s) are used, but not facilitator(s).

4. For further details, see http://www.acara.edu.au/development_of_the_australian_curriculum.html.

5. Although Hocking (2009) is referring to the situation in Australia, the same observation applies in South Africa.