Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2017 - EDUC 100W D100

Selected Questions and Issues in Education (3)

Class Number: 4859

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Instructor:

    Michelle Pidgeon
    mep9@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-8609
    Office Hours: By appointment

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:

As an introductory course to Education, we will not only explore the BIG ISSUES in education but also our own relationship to education, as a learner, community member, and prospective educator. The purpose of this course is to further develop our understandings of the complexity of the Canadian educational system, in relation to other countries; understand the BIG issues in education within the BC context; and explore our own questions about education in relationship of self-to-self, self-to-others, and self-to-place. The goals of this course will be three-fold: knowledge acquisition, self-reflection, and application to practice.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Knowledge:
a) Further your understanding of various historical and emerging issues in education
b) Gain an appreciation for and insight into the concepts within education, as a complex system
c) Engage with educational research related to the topics discussed in class
d) Build your research and analytical skills through writing

Self-reflection:
a)  To develop an awareness of your personal approaches to education, your personal experiences, values, and beliefs
     (e.g., reflective practice, self-to-self; self-to-others; self-to-place)
b)  To share and contrast your reflective practices with colleagues through discussion, assessment, and classroom activities.

c)  To reflect on areas of strengths and weaknesses in your own views on education through a writing practice (e.g., learning
     portfolio artifacts).

Application to practice:
a) To construct a useful set of foundational understandings to issues in education- knowing how to pose the question and where to
     seek the answers.
b) To develop your reflective practice skills to assist you in addressing complex issues.

Grading

  • In class and online participation* 20%
  • Individual Learning Portfolio—Reflective narrative writing + in-class activities 30%
  • BIG ISSUES Exploration + Team Presentation 30%
  • Individual Self-Assessment Assignment 20%

NOTES:

There is no final exam for this course.

- Class attendance is mandatory and active engagement in online and in-class discussions is expected; in-class activities are
  dependent on your active participation. Incompletes will be given only under extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the
  student's control and may result in a lower grade.

- Please check Canvas for further details regarding course schedule, announcements, and updates.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

The course reading materials will be provided at the first class built and also develop throughout the semester depending on the class members’ interests. All course readings will be listed through CANVAS (http://canvas.sfu.ca) and will be accessible online through the SFU Library, online, or shared during class.

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required text for this course.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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