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EDUCATION 371:

THE SCHOOL As WORKPLACE

Fall Semester, 1988

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Instructor: ?

Dr. Peter Coleman

Friday, 4:30-9:20

Saturday, 9:00-1:00

Prince George

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the course are to provide students with a range of information drawn from current

research on schools as workplaces for students and teachers. It is expected that students will

considerably enlarge their knowledge of schools in general, even of the schools they have

experienced.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course falls into four sections. They are:

Schools as social Institutions:

This introductory section will examine four aspects of schools as

social institutions; school functions; school quality; school climate; and school improvement.

Students and schools:

This section will examine three dimensions of school effects on students;

student opinions of schooling; student dropouts; and the school as preparation for citizenship.

Teachers and schools:

This section will examine the school as workplace from the perspective of

teachers. The main topics are teacher work; collegiality and the peer-group; staff development; and

negotiations.

Parents and schools:

The opinions of parents do not play a large part in shaping schools and

schooling. Yet quite a lot is known about parents' preferences and potential role. The main topics

here are parent opinions about school; parents as partners; and parents as political pressure groups.

ACTIVITIES

Some of the course readings will be discussed at each class session. Student reaction papers (see

below) will often precede the discussion, which will try to arrive at some consensus about the

importance and relevance of the material and to propose ways in which practitioners can make use

of the information provided to improve schooling for children. Additionally, a series of cases

involving teacher work in schools will provide a focus for subgroup activities. Students will also

be asked to present relevant information on school work issues to the class for analysis.

REQUIRED TEXT

Ghosh, R. & Ray, D. (1987) Social change and education in Canada. Toronto: Harcourt Brace

Jovanovich.

RECOMMENDED TEXT

Goodlad, J.l. (1984) A place called school. New York: McGraw-Hill, and Lortie, D.C. (1975)

Schoolteacher Chicago, III.: University of Chicago Press.

An extensive list of readings is also required. A few copies will be made available.