Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - EDUC 437 E200

Ethical Issues in Education (4)

Class Number: 6123

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units including 3 units in Education.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Ethical problems in education are identified and examined. Four major areas of concern are explored: 1. the normative character of education as a whole; 2. the justification of education; 3. ethical questions related to equality, autonomy, interpersonal relationships, and rights in education; 4. moral education and values education.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course aims to engage students in discourse around theories and approaches in ethical issues in daily life, and particularly in contexts of learning and teaching.  Some questions that we explore include:  What do we mean by ethics, and in what contexts does it play out?  How do we relate to others ethically, and how far might these ethical relations extend?  How do we engage in ethical awareness, and how do we create meaningful ethical change in our everyday practices? 
At the core of our work together is a project that seeks to build, through the practice of transformative learning, greater conscious awareness of our own life practices and habits of mind.  We also engage in active dialogue, where you will actively and jointly reflect with your peers on the theories and perspectives you are learning, engaging in self-cultivation and questions around values and ethical practices.

Please note that this course is very interactive, and your regular participation is essential to doing well.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • To engage in a process of self-change through the practice of transformative learning
  • To recognize self-awareness, self-responsibility and self-cultivation as fundamental ways of being ethical
  • To gain practice in active dialogue participation as a form of personal and mutual ethical growth
  • To become familiar with scholarly literature, theories and approaches to ethical issues in education
  • To gain understanding and appreciation of ethical ways of being in everyday life and relations with others, and how these might be enacted

Grading

  • Multi-modal awareness journal in response to course materials, and in-class sharing 40%
  • i-change Project 45%
  • Final Reflection Sharing 15%

NOTES:

There is no midterm or final exam for this course.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All course materials be provided through Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.