Students study problems facing culturally different children. Concepts, problem-solving procedures, and attitudes that aid constructive interaction between culturally different teachers and learners are explored. Students study major philosophical writings, their relation to the roles of student and teachers, and their relation to the aims of schooling. Students develop philosophy positions and resarch a philosopher of their choice. Findings are presented to the class for discussion and analysis.
Students study the field of cultural anthropology as it relates to contemporary issues in education.
The course focuses on education as a social institution. Students study the myriad relationships between formal systems of education and the dominant characteristics of postindustrial society. Content is derived from current thought and writing in sociology and educational theory and practice. Students examine U.S. educational thought and practice, emphasizing developments in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Special attention is paid to recent works in the field that emphasize the social purpose and context of the U.S. public school.