N FRASER UNIVERSITY

Spring Semester 2004

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EDUC 100 ?

-3

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Mark Fettes

Selected Questions & Issues in Education

Office:

Phone:

Tuesdays & Thursdays

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D02.00 ?

E-mail: mtfettes@sfu.ca

13:30-15:20 in AQ 2109/4150

PREREQUISITE:

None.

This is an introductory course aimed at beginning students. Diverse motivations for taking the course might

include past or present experiences as a learner, the possibility of a teaching career, concern about political and

cultural issues related to schools, or an interest in changing conceptions of education in a postmodern world. No

prior or further study of education is assumed. Together we will explore fundamental questions arising from a

series of shared readings and from our own experiences with learning and teaching. There will be opportunities

to contribute to shaping the content of the course . You will be expected to participate in small group discussions

and to complete a variety of short writing assignments, both graded and ungraded. At the end of the course you

should have a better understanding of the multifaceted nature of teaching and learning, and of some of the ways

in which they can fruitfully be investigated. You will also have developed skills in critical reading and writing at

the university level.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Codell, Esme R. (1999).

Educating Esme: Diary of a teacher's first year.

Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books.

Jackson, Philip W. (1992).

Untaught lessons.

New York: Teachers' College Press.

Other readings will be available from time to time in class.

REQUIREMENTS

Weekly attendance and participation in activities /discussions

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20%

Written work related to readings and discussions

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60%

In-class final exam 20%