Course Description
Observations and analyses of critical educational issues influencing the social and political contexts of educational settings in Georgia and the United States. Students examine the teaching profession, the meaning of education and schooling in a diverse society, and the moral and ethical responsibilities of teaching.
Athena Title
Critical Contemporary Issues H
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2110E
Non-Traditional Format
The course includes a required field experience component with a minimum of 10 hours in a school, school-related, or community setting, and focusing on consideration of issues related to diversity that are also considered in the course.
Prerequisite
Permission of Honors
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
As future educators, students will: 1. understand and apply disciplinary knowledge from the humanities and social sciences to interpret the meanings of education and schooling in diverse and contemporary contexts. 2. understand and apply normative perspectives on education and schooling in contemporary contexts. 3. consider a variety of critical perspectives on education and schooling. 4. contemplate moral and ethical principles related to democratic institutions that can inform and direct schooling practice, leadership, and governance. 5. comprehend the full significance of the many dimensions of diversity in a democratic society and how these bear on instruction, school leadership, and governance. 6. examine how philosophical and moral commitments affect the process of evaluation at all levels of school practice, leadership, and governance. 7. examine educational issues through direct experience in diverse school- and school-related community settings. 8. integrate insights from the field experiences with findings from presentations and discussions in class and from research on issues related to contemporary education.
Topical Outline
1. Historical evolution of the American school system and the structure and funding of public education systems in the United States. 2. Characteristics of contemporary public and private schools and the interplay of school and society via selected social, historical, political, economic, philosophical, and cultural issues that influence those schools, as well as the influences of contemporary globalization and demographic shifts. 3. Current issues and trends in schools (e.g., bullying, curriculum mandates, vouchers, privatization, testing and evaluation, federal and state policy, reform initiatives, standards, and changes in curriculum) 4. Legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities of teachers, administrators, parents, and students. 5. Core values involved in teaching and how these values influence teachers' beliefs about “good” teaching and schooling in democratic contexts. 6. Different points of view and philosophies of teaching, and how these affect decisions about curriculum and instruction. 7. Various dimensions of "equal opportunity" and issues related to the teaching of diverse students in contemporary Georgia and U.S. schools. 8. Benefits, and challenges concerning the use of technology in contemporary Georgia and U.S. classrooms. 9. Critical and contemporary issues encountered during the field experience in local area schools and communities and through independent research.
Syllabus
Public CV