Educon 240-3 Social rlssues iducation

Summer Semester, 1984 ?

Instr: A. Luke

Thursdays, 8:30-11:20

?

Location: On Campus

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this course are: 1) to provide a broad

base of information about schooling as a social institution, with

specific focus on B.C. and Canada; 2) to outline background

information and points of view on contemporary public and professional

controversies about the aims and practices of public schools; and 3)

to provide foundational perspectives on these issues. The primary aim

of the course is the development by each student of a coherent and

justifiable critical perspective with which to identify and analyze

debates on educational issues.

FORMAT: The course combines lectures, student presentations, film and

videotape presentations, guest speakers, with weekly seminars.

TOPICS include:

An introduction to the educational 'field' in B.C. What is a

"social issue"? Consensus and conflict over the aims and

practices of public schooling.

Schooling as a social institution: ritual, socialization,

cultural reproduction, and the "hidden curriculum".

Schooling in Multicultural society.

Academic and occupational equality for women.

Social class, social justice and the provision of "school

knowledge"

Curricular form and content: the issue of Canadian control.

Standardized Testing: minimum competence, accountability,

centralization

Comparative Education system.

Radical alternative: Freirian pedagogy.

The aims and structures of post-secondary education

REQUIRED TEXTS: Cusick, Phillip. "Inside High School" Holt, Rinehart,

Winston, 1973

Freire, Paulo. "Education for Critical Consciousness".

Seabury, 1978

Apple, M. "Ideolo

gy

and Curriculum" Routledge, 1979.

Selected articles from jounals0

RECOMMENDED:

?

Purvis, June and Hales, Margaret. "Achievement and

Ine g

ualitv in Education". Routledge, 1983

Wilson, J.S. "Canadian Education in the 1980's.

Detselig, 1981.

In addition to the two required texts, there will be a charge for

articles handed out in class. Weekly readings will also be available

on reserve.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Students will be expected to complete assigned

readings and to participate in seminar discussions. Three major

assignments will be required: a short mid-term paper (5-7 pages); a

short research paper (5:-7 pages); and several short seminar

assignments.

NO PREREQUISITE COURSES ARE REQUIRED