The ontological categories of race concept on science and humanities track students: Semantic network analysis approach
Yustika Syabandari (a*), Rahmi Qurota Aini (a), Ai Nurlaelasari Rusmana (a), Minsu Ha (a), Jun-Ki Lee (b), Sein Shin (c)
(a). Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University
Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, 24341 Republic of Korea
(b). Division of Science Education, Chonbuk National University
567 Baekje-daero, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
(c). Division of Biology Education, Chungbuk National University
Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea
*yustikasya[at]kangwon.ac.kr
Abstract
The concept of race has been reported as an essential concept of biological reality and human social construct. Race concept which has no scientific consensus, can be perceived differently by diverse society. This study was intended to explore science and humanities track students perception of race concept by performing semantic network analysis. A total of 412 students from science and humanities track have participated. The result illustrated that science and humanities students perception about race concept was typically categorized into typological concept of race, race as a social construct, and race as the mixed concept between biology and social. The discrepancy is that science students tend to have a biological view to describe the race as a biological reality. They believe that gene demarcates human classification which leads them to exhibit biological essentialism. This research suggested the educational stakeholder and teacher to consider this crucial issue in science teaching and learning in order to prevent students from the misunderstanding about race concept.
Keywords: humanities track, race concept, science track, social network analysis (SNA), students perception
Topic: Science Education