Summer 2019 - EDUC 396 D100

Special Topics

Teachers, Students & Schools in Popular Culture

Class Number: 5186

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores major issues of present concern. Subjects to be taught and the exact assignment of units and prerequisites will be announced prior to the beginning of each term. Course may be given on a pass/fail basis. A maximum of 12 units in education special topics courses may be used toward a bachelor of education degree or a bachelor of general studies (EDUC) degree. Variable units 2,3,4,6.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces students to key educational debates through a focus on popular representations of schooling in picture books, comics, television, film, and young adult novels. Popular constructions of teachers, students, and schools allow for an exploration of the ways in which authors and artists have conceived of education, how they reproduce or challenge the inequities of North American schooling, and how their texts engage with perennial debates about teaching and learning. Students should be prepared to do an extensive amount of reading, should be comfortable writing an academic paper each week, and speaking regularly in class.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students will develop:

  • An understanding of the history and conventions of the “School Story”
  • Theoretical and methodological tools to analyze popular fictions
  • A critical perspective on the policies and practices of North American schooling in relationship to race, class, gender, sexualities and/or abilities
  • An understanding of perennial debates in education (e.g., the “feminization” of schools)
  • An understanding of popular cultural texts as a form of pedagogy

Grading

  • Engagement 5%
  • Quizzes 20%
  • Weekly Assignments 25%
  • Midterm Exam 15%
  • Group Project/Presentation 10%
  • Final Take-Home Exam/Annotated Bibliography/Presentation 25%

NOTES:

Attendance on the first day of class is mandatory.  Because this is an intersession course, there will be no enrolment after the 2nd session of class.

REQUIREMENTS:

The course includes: individual study, daily assignments, research, small group and whole-class discussion, a mid-term, a final exam, and presentation to the class. This is an intersession class and thus a time-intensive one. Students should be prepared for a heavy reading/writing/viewing load. This is a seminar format and students are graded on in class engagement and participation.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Britt, F. & Arsenault, I. (2012). Jane, The Fox & Me. Toronto: Groundwood Books.
ISBN: 9781554983605

Mathieu, J. (2017). Moxie. New York: Roaring Book Press.
ISBN: 9781626726352

Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. London: Bloomsbury.
ISBN: 9781408834961

Stigwood, R. & Carr, A. (Producer) & Kleiser, R. (Director). (1978). Grease [motion picture]. USA: Paramount Pictures.

Group Texts (chosen on Canvas - do not buy until after course starts)

Medina, M. (2014). Yaqui Delgado wants to kick your ass. Massachusetts: Candlewick press.
ISBN: 9780763658595

Pung, A. (2018). Lucy and Linh. New York: Ember Penguin Random House.
ISBN: 9780399550515

MacLean, J. (2013). The Hidden Agenda of Sigrid Sugden. Markham, Ontario: Fitzhenry& Whiteside Limited.
ISBN: 9781554552795

Zorn, C. (2018). Protected. Queensland: University of Queensland Press. *also available as Kindle version.
ISBN: 9780702250194

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS