FOYER: The Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education

Does Liberal Education Liberate?

Chetana Nagavajara — 2024-11-29

The paper is based on the Keynote Lecture entitled “Liberal Arts Liberates?”, delivered at the 1st International and 8th National Conference on “Liberal Arts in the Role of Cultural Capital”, organized by the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Mahidol University, in Bangkok on 6 June 2024. The interrogative aspect of the lecture’s title represents a call to my audience and reader to embark on a collective search for the answer to this rather elusive problem besetting especially higher education of today. Nevertheless, there are two points on which I remain unequivocal: first, that liberal education is a way of thinking and a way of life that transcends any institutional attachment; and second, that it is ubiquitous. Instead of being preoccupied with definitional argumentation, numerous interpretations and analyses provide diverse examples of educational phenomena in the broadest possible sense, drawn from intellectual and cultural developments in the West as well as my home country, Thailand, and also from my own extensive experiences. These are subsumed under broad categories, namely: faith in humanity; the non-utilitarian quest for knowledge; the Humboldtian ideal of “Bildung”; dialogic culture; the evergreen past; learning how to learn; education without borders; mobility; and the upholding of ethics as the ultimate goal of scholarly life. The logical interconnectedness among these diverse phenomena is also presented in the form of a diagram. The urgency to combat the commodification of higher education and the overemphasis on utility-driven research cannot be stressed too strongly. The paper concludes with an optimistic note that there is sufficient cultural capital to support such a noble endeavour.

Nationalist Ideology in National Aviation Museum of the Royal Thai Air Force

Pakhamon Somprasong — 2024-11-29

The aim of this academic article is to examine the exhibition methods and content used by the National Aviation Museum of the Royal Thai Air Force to foster nationalist ideology. It examines the museum's role in promoting nationalism using Althusser's ideology framework, combined with concepts of nationalism and museum studies.

The findings indicate that the National Aviation Museum of the Royal Thai Air Force. presents the main aspects of Thai nationalism—nation, religion, and monarchy—through exhibitions on the history of aviation in Thailand, the development of the Royal Thai Air Force, and its missions from the past to the present. The museum employs Althusser's ideological mechanisms such as reproduction, naturalization, a mix of reality and imagination, and the creation of binary relationships. These are supplemented by artifacts representing air power, such as aircraft and illustrations, and elements like color schemes that evoke the Royal Thai Air Force to instill patriotism, which is consistent with the role of military museums in promoting nationalist ideology.

However, the presentation lacks engagement between the Royal Thai Air Force and the public. The storytelling methods fail to connect the social context of different eras with significant Air Force events, providing only factual information. This makes it difficult for visitors to synthesize the information to gain a deeper understanding. Additionally, the elements that should evoke emotional engagement, such as lighting, color, and sound, do not effectively enhance the narrative's emotional impact.

The Progress in the Research on the Communication of Catholic Culture from the 1980s in Anlong Ancient City, China

Jianbing Peng — 2024-11-29

This article employs literature research and qualitative research approach to analyze the current status of academic research on Catholic cultural communication from the 1980s in Anlong Ancient City, China; estimate the research trend, and clarify the basic situation of current academic research on the Catholic cultural communication in Anlong Ancient City. The research analyzes the period when Catholicism was introduced into Anlong Ancient City, the research of foreign missionaries, the Catholic history and culture, and the relationship between the Yongli Regime of the Southern Ming Dynasty and Catholicism. The findings revealed that cross-cultural communication did not appear in the research among Catholics. Therefore, there is still a gap in academic research on the communication of Catholic culture in Anlong Ancient City, which can be further expanded. In the next step, the history of the communication of Catholic culture in Anlong Ancient City and the spread situation in the real society deserve the continuous efforts of researchers to explore further the communication of Catholic culture in Anlong Ancient City, to enrich the connotation of Catholic culture in Anlong Ancient City.

Students’ Achievement and Satisfaction in Using English Pronunciation Instruction Media: A Study among First - Year English Major Students at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus

Tanchanok Prombut — 2024-11-29

This study has two primary objectives namely to evaluate students’ academic performance both pre and post use of English Pronunciation Instructional Media as well as to measure the satisfaction levels of first-year English major students at Prince of Songkla University Pattani Campus, from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Education, concerning the utilisation of English Pronunciation Instructional Media. 23 participants were selected purposively as the sample of this study. The research employed three key components: 1) English Pronunciation Instructional Media, 2) Pre and Post-test assessments, and 3) student’s satisfaction questionnaire. In this research, statistical analyses, including the examination of mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test, were conducted. The research findings revealed several significant outcomes. Firstly, there was a notable increase in students’ academic achievement after the implementation of English Pronunciation Instructional Media (t = 2.083, p<0.05). Secondly, students expressed high satisfaction levels towards the use of English Pronunciation Instructional Media, with average scores indicating substantial benefits (x̄ = 4.70), application of acquired knowledge in daily life (x̄ = 4.83), and a positive attitude towards English (x̄ = 5.0), reaching the highest level of satisfaction. Thirdly, the study explored expert recommendations in developing instructional materials for English phonetic pronunciation. The experts suggested that effective instructional media should incorporate diverse formats to enhance student engagement, emphasising on the importance of clear guidelines and formats to improve teaching and learning efficiency. Additionally, the experts endorsed the creation of instructional media in the form of an electronic book (e-virtual book).

A Causal Model of Social Intelligence of Student-Athlete in Thailand National Sports University Chiang Mai Campus

Dittachai Chankuna — 2024-11-29

The main objective of this research is to analyze a causal model of social intelligence. A sample of 232 people was selected using a multi-stage sampling method. The sample was drawn from student-athletes at the Thailand National Sports University, Chiang Mai campus. Research instruments were five questionnaires with rating-scales, which developed based on previous research. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to work out the causal model. The results showed that the sample's average social intelligence scores across all aspects were at the highest level. Fifteen variables in the hypothesis model were extracted into five factors with a comparative fit index (CFI at 0.972) in an appropriate manner. The causal model of social intelligence comprised a Model of adaptation, Family relations, University environment, Emotional quotient, and social intelligence. University environment was the most influential. The value of this research lies in the discovery of a causal model of social intelligence. Administrators at educational institutions could consider implementing support policies for student-athletes aimed at developing social intelligence by managing the institutional environment.

Empowering English Language Learners Through Human - Centered Design: A Case Study on Developing English Skills Through Local Wisdom Innovation

Kaecha Sai-ed — 2024-11-29

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of integrating human-centered design (HCD) principles and local wisdom innovation into English language education to empower learners to develop English skills. The primary objectives are to evaluate the impact of HCD principles on students' English language proficiency, assess the effectiveness of incorporating Local Wisdom Innovation in enhancing cultural relevance and real-life applicability of language learning, and determine the combined effect of HCD and Local Wisdom Innovation on fostering students' creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities. Grounded in principles of empathy, collaboration, and iteration, HCD prioritizes the needs, experiences, and perspectives of learners in designing language learning experiences. Additionally, Local Wisdom Innovation integrates traditional wisdom and local knowledge into language learning solutions, incorporating cultural contexts and real-life scenarios. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, including pre- and post-intervention language proficiency assessments and rubric-based evaluations of HCD principles, creativity, innovation, and English language proficiency. The study participants were 42 lower secondary school students. Results indicate significant improvements in students' language proficiency and HCD competencies following the intervention. Specifically, students demonstrated enhanced listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as increased creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities. The findings suggest that integrating HCD and Local Wisdom Innovation into English language education can effectively empower learners to develop English skills while fostering creativity and cultural awareness. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on innovative approaches to language education and underscores the importance of learner-centered pedagogies in promoting language learning outcomes. Implications for practice include the adoption of HCD principles and Local Wisdom Innovation in language teaching to enhance student engagement, motivation, and proficiency.

Quality System Management the Creation of Educational Innovative Organizations of Basic Education Institutions in Krabi Province

Phongsak Phakamach — 2024-11-29

The objectives of this research were to investigate: 1) the quality system management of Basic Education Institutions in Krabi province; 2) the creation of educational innovative organization by Basic Education Institutions in Krabi province; and 3) the impact of quality system management on educational innovative organizations of Basic Education Institutions in Krabi province. The study used mixed-methods design. The research sample consisted of administrators, heads of learning subject groups and teachers; there were a total of 396 people from Basic Education Institutions in Krabi province, selected via a two-step sampling method. The tools used in the research were questionnaires and group discussions. The statistics used to analyzed the quantitative data were frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations; stepwise multiple regression analysis was also used. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings were revealed as follows:

1. Quality system management of Basic Education Institutions in Krabi province as a whole and in many aspect were at a high level ranked in descending order as follows: performance results, faculty and staff focus, strategic planning, student and stakeholder focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, leadership, and process management;

2. The creation of educational innovative organization by Basic Education Institutions in Krabi province as a whole and in many aspects were at a high level, ranked in descending order as follows: focus on staff, appropriate organizational structure and size, effective teamwork, creative atmosphere and innovative behavior, high participation in innovation, long-term sustainability, scope of the ability to connect networks and create learning exchanges, shared vision, leadership and the will to innovate; and

3. Five variables of quality system management performance results, strategic planning, process management, measurement, analysis knowledge management, and leadership had an effect on the innovative organization creation of Education Institutions in Krabi province as a whole at 89.20%.

Western Influences and the Evolution of Medical Practices and Public Health in Pre-1932 Siam

Nattanee Satchanawakul — 2024-11-29

Western concepts, particularly scientific knowledge and medical technology, have profoundly influenced the evolution of modern Siam/Thailand. The introduction of "Western medicine and public health knowledge," especially the use of innovations, dramatically reduced sickness and mortality rates, contributing to a healthier population and, consequently, economic growth, by increasing the workforce. This intertwining of medical science with individual, community, societal, and state development marked a significant shift in Thai medical and public health practices.

In truth, preventing mortality was a novel concept in Siam, largely introduced by missionaries who performed modern medical services along with their dissemination of religious teachings. The acceptance of Western technology led to transformative changes in medicine and public health, including advancements in treatment methods, tools, and pharmaceuticals, eventually culminating in the establishment of "Western-style hospitals."

Furthermore, the early development of medical practices and public health in Siam was shaped by the cultural negotiation between Western influences and indigenous beliefs, particularly the concept of merit and charity. This research highlights how Western influence shifted medical and public health paradigms in Siam, laying the groundwork for modern healthcare practices in Thai society that came later.

About the Journal

Natthakarn Naknuan — 2024-11-29

FOYER: The Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education a publication of Faculty of Liberal Arts, Mahidol University, was first published in 2024. Two semi-annual issues are scheduled for January-June and July-December each year.

FOYER: The Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education publishes articles in Thai, English, and also other languages. The editor welcomes submissions of previously unpublished manuscripts in four categories: academic -, research -, review articles, and book reviews. Submitted manuscripts will be screened through a double-blind review by three readers from relevant academic disciplines.

FOYER: The Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education welcomes submissions of previously unpublished manuscripts in four categories: academic -, research -, review articles, and book reviews. Submitted manuscripts may not currently be reviewed for other journals. A complete version of articles appearing in conference proceedings may be considered, provided that the author(s) has extended the original by 60% at the least. In this case, an explicit acknowledgment of the first publishing is required in the extended manuscript.