Course Description
Explores the challenges of educational transformation, including improved teaching and learning, equity/social justice, and democracy in institutions with complex cultural contexts. Introduction to habits of mind for advanced graduate study.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Understand the values of equity, social justice, democracy, caring, and educational quality (articulated in the ELC Department Statement of Commitments) and be able to assess educational practices in light of these values;
- Understand the impact that major social-cultural trends (particularly related to race, class, gender, and marginalized identities) have on education and be able to use that knowledge to analyze educational policies and practices;
- Demonstrate skills in critically reading and analyzing information, and making informed and just educational decisions;
- Be aware of the habits of mind, dispositions, communication skills, and orientations toward research that are essential to success in graduate school;
- Demonstrate the following competencies as outlined in the North Carolina Standards for School Executives: Communication, Creative Thinking, Dialogue/Inquiry, Emotional Intelligence, Judgment, Organizational Ability, Personal Ethics and Values, Personal Responsibility for Performance, Responsiveness, Sensitivity, and Systems Thinking.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Reflective Writing #1 | 15% |
| Reflective Writing #2 | 15% |
| Reflective Writing #3 | 20% |
| Research Analysis Paper | 40% |
| Attendance | 10% |
Grading Scale:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93-100 | A |
| 90-92 | A- |
| 87-89 | B+ |
| 83-86 | B |
| 80-82 | B- |
| 77-79 | C+ |
| 73-76 | C |
| 70-72 | C- |
| 67-69 | D+ |
| 63-66 | D |
| 60-62 | D- |
| Below 60 | F |
Attendance/Participation:
For face-to-face meetings, you are expected to carefully prepare the readings before each class so that you can participate in both small and large group discussions. Active presence in class is required.
Excessive absences (i.e., more than one) may affect your grade negatively.
You may also be asked to complete short, in-class writing assignments as part of your participation grade.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.