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Trends and Issues in Middle Grades Education


Course Description

Current and past trends and issues in the education of young adolescents in middle grades education, grades 4-8.


Athena Title

Trends and Issues in EDMG


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in EDMG 7200E


Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

Students will be able to: - Identify current and past trends, issues, social conditions, and systems of privilege and oppression that affect the teaching profession and the education of young adolescents. - Analyze and describe how particular trends, issues, social conditions, and systems impact middle grades education. - Design action plans to articulate how they intend to address the implications of trends, issues, social conditions, and systems of privilege and oppression that affect middle grades education in their own practice and communities.


Topical Outline

Topics will change in response to current moments in middle grades education. Sample topics may include the following in relation to middle grades education, grades 4-8: Teaching as a profession Anti-oppressive pedagogies Critiques of developmentalism Gender and sexuality Social media Neoliberalism and schooling Family and community connections to schooling Social-emotional well-being