Course Description
Adolescence as a historical and cultural concept, research on practices in middle grades schools and students' perspectives of schooling, and adolescents' experiences in school and society.
Athena Title
Young Adolescents and Schools
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in EDMG 9030E
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Consider the nature of adolescence as a historical and cultural concept. Summarize the research about young adolescents' individual developmental attributes and their socially constructed characteristics. Conduct a historical review of socio-political issues and philosophical perspectives impinging on young adolescents in the last century, and of the school reform efforts undertaken during that period. Analyze current practice in middle grades schools from the national, state, and local levels. Examine ethnographic research that depicts young adolescents' experiences in schools. Consider possible future directions for schooling and education of young adolescents. Develop ideas for a research project related to young adolescents' experiences in schools.
Topical Outline
Who are our students, how have we educated young adolescents in the last century, and what are we currently doing to educate young adolescents?