Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - EDUC 100W D400

Selected Questions and Issues in Education (3)

Class Number: 5080

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to a small but representative sample of basic questions and issues in education. Students will examine questions relating to: the concept or idea of education; learning and the learner; teaching and the teacher; and more generally, the broader contexts of education. This course also introduces students to different ways of exploring educational questions and issues from philosophical and critical analysis, to historical and cross-cultural studies, to empirical research. Cannot be taken for credit by students with credit for 300 and 400 level education courses. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will be taught completely online through remote instruction via Zoom and Canvas. Please reserve original class time (11:30am- 2:20pm on Thursdays) for Zoom videoconferencing and online interaction. Attendance/active participation during videoconference / synchronous class time and regular active participation on Canvas is a requirement of this course.


This is an introductory course that explores the aims, value and nature of education and how it impacts our sense of identity, community and culture. Through a range of readings, discussions, and activities students will critically reflect on the purpose and worth of education, emerging trends and issues in educational practice, and what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century. Students will reflect on their own educational experiences in both formal an informal settings, as well as identify a specific area of education they wish to pursue, develop and expand upon.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The primary aim of the course is for students to enlarge their view of education in order to form a knowledgeable and critical perspective on the value and meaning of education in relationship to their own experiences and understandings.

Grading

  • Course Portfolio (Weekly reflections and activities) 40%
  • Group Project 30%
  • Participation – attendance and active engagement in online participation, activities, and discussions (Zoom and Canvas) 30%

NOTES:

There is no final exam for this course.

This course will be taught completely online through remote instruction via Zoom and Canvas. Please reserve original class time (11:30am- 2:20pm on Thursdays) for Zoom videoconferencing and online interaction. Attendance/active participation during videoconference / synchronous class time and regular active participation on Canvas is a requirement of this course.

Please note: to maintain privacy, the sessions on Zoom will not be recorded.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All course readings will be posted on Canvas.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).