Course Description
Science education instruction, curriculum, and policy issues in countries with developed and emerging economies.
Athena Title
INTERNATNAL SCI ED
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Course Overview In this graduate level course we will focus on two major topics: (1) the current state of science education, internationally, and (2) methods of educational research being used in international contexts. We will examine science and teacher education policies, curricula and instructional implementation, and research issues in countries with developed and emerging economies. An overview of different cultural, geographical, philosophical and epistemological perspectives on educational reform issues will be addressed throughout the course. The history of ideas of science education, as it has evolved in different contexts, will be explored. Theories of educational change/reform and practical implications from varying research perspectives will be evaluated. The course will consider themes and tensions that influence the construction of grant proposals to establish international research collaborations. The course will include guest presentations, discussions, and an open exchange of ideas and experiences. The final examination time will be used for class presentations of your research projects and proposals
Topical Outline
Course Objectives/Goals: The objectives are to: a. Develop skills for communicating and interacting with individuals from diverse cultures. b. Consider findings from cross-national science education research. c. Examine cultural histories of science education in international contexts. d. Examine tensions of science education reform in international contexts (i.e., globalization vs. indigenization). e. Examine developments in science curricula of recent decades in an international context. f. Consider contextual factors that mediate science teaching and learning in developing and industrialized countries. g. Explore pressing issues of science education facing different countries. h. Examine the influence of cultural identities, the cultural construction of experience, and cultural stereotypes on science teaching and learning. i. Examine dilemmas embedded in science teaching and learning as practiced in different countries. Countries that have been investigated include China, Japan, North Korea, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, India, Australia, United States, Honduras, Mexico, Hungary, Germany, Turkey, and indigenous systems.