Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Focuses on educational issues, trends and practices which impact teaching and learning in schools and other educational settings.

COURSE DETAILS:

Grounding ourselves in such questions as ‘What is curriculum?’, ‘Who is it for?’, ‘What values does it represent?’ and ‘What will it accomplish?’, we will examine the social, cultural, political, and economic connections related to curriculum in our times. We will identify and explore key influences that shape contemporary practices, and consider issues such as the connections between curriculum and power, identity, knowledge, culture, and language. We will also investigate the practice of selected pedagogical approaches in the light of shifting, and often competing discourses on learning and teaching.  Some of the topics we will consider are:  a brief historical survey of curriculum studies in North America, globalization and education, globalization and language teaching, the lived curriculum, hidden curriculum, critical pedagogy, media education and learning from place.  

A more detailed outline and syllabus/schedule will be available in our first class, including details of suggested assignments.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course aims to

• Introduce students to key moments in the history of curriculum studies in North America;
• Deepen knowledge and understanding of current issues in curriculum and pedagogy such as globalization and education, global education, place-based education, critical pedagogy, media education, and contemplative inquiry in education.
• Support students to develop independent research skills on self-selected topics;
• Support students to strengthen skills in leading a graduate seminar;
• Promote the development of strong analytical, writing, reading and discussion skills.
• Encourage students to work independently and in small groups.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: