SCHOOL AND SOCIETY

EDPOL 240

Examines the socio-cultural, political and economic forces that shape education around the world, including in the U.S. Explores a series of essential questions about the means and ends of education, including: the purposes of schooling in different locations; the role of schooling in producing inequality or supporting social change, particularly in relation to class, race, gender, migration, language, and abilities; global educational reform; global educational assessments; curriculum and pedagogy; and teacher education.

EDPOL/SOC 648

Utilizes a sociological lens to examine American schools and schooling, with a particular focus on social inequality in the U.S. and how class, race, and gender intersect in the experiences of students. Examine how schools and schooling relate to broader social structures, institutions, and practices with a focus on inequality in public education.

EDPOL 210

Explores the study of youth through theoretical, historical, social, and cultural perspectives with a focus on Minoritized Youth; interrogates the concept of "youth" as a socially constructed category; examines how "youth" have been positioned within educational, political, economic, and social contexts; analyzes how youth's racialized experiences intersect with other social identities: social class, gender, and sexuality. Themes explored: conceptions of youth as a social category, education and schooling, race, gender, sexuality, politics and activism, community-based learning, criminal justice, media, and popular culture. Uses historical and contemporary "texts" and current events to study the lived experiences of young people within diverse racial, cultural, gendered, sexualized and classed contexts. Reflect on own experiences as "youth," their relationship to education and other social institutions, and how it informs understanding of society, educational theory and practice.

EDPOL 640

Introduces the social, political and cultural influences surrounding educational policies and practices and the role of teachers in education policymaking. Focuses on the purpose(s) of schooling, considering questions such as: What should the purpose of schooling be? How do our assumptions regarding the purpose(s) of schooling shape our understandings of education policies and practices? Considers educational inequalities and contemporary education policies.

EDPOL 150

Examines a variety of topics related to educational policies, practices, and issues in social, cultural, historical, and political economic contexts in the U.S. and around the world.