EDUC 807

EDUC 807 - Critical Social Theories for Just Schools and Communities

Credits: (3)

Instructional Method: Lecture

Catalog Description

In this course, students read, write about, and apply diverse pedagogical and social theories to their professional lives and problems of practice.

Content

In this course, students will explore diverse pedagogical theories, analyzing and analyze how these theories apply to their professional lives and problems of practice. They will acquire both the pedagogical language and implementation tactics necessary to address diverse student needs, thus holistically contextualizing the students and their families. Student learning is grounded in inquiry exploration writing and discussion.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Students may engage in both synchronous and asynchronous online discussions with each other and the professor, who will provide interactive lectures and presentations on the material. Students will be expected to apply the theoretical knowledge obtained to their problem of practice and situate the problem within various theoretical contexts.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Gain knowledge of diverse critical pedagogical and social theories. Apply critical pedagogical and social theories to their problems of practice and evaluate their change ideas from an asset-based approach.
• Explain how historical policies have shaped educational practices and their impacts.
• Examine and explain how and what educational/social policies governing their context may have adversely affected stakeholders in light of critical pedagogy and social theories.
• Explain how historical, institutional, system-level, and organizational structures and processes can contribute to individual beliefs and behaviors.
• Draw on philosophical frameworks to explain how one’s problem of practice is shaped by larger systems.
• Explain how other aspects of social policy influence one’s problem of practice.

Assessment Measures

Assessments may include, but are not limited to, reading reflection logs, participation in discussion, an article-length paper, and an implemented social justice action plan.

 

Review and approved

June, 2023