Spring Semester, 1991

(January 7 - April 5)

Monday & Wednesday

3:30 - 4:30, Tutorials

Location: C 9002

Instructor: Celia Haig-Brown

Phone:

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291-3459

291-3395 Messages

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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

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EDUCATION 240

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SOCIAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION

PREREQUISITES -

None.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the functions of schools within social and historical

contexts, and the role of education in socialization. Social, cultural, political and

economic influences on schools and on the practices of education are topics of

consideration. Examinations of functionalism, conflict theory and interpretive

approaches to the sociology of schooling will be integrated into the discussions of

schooling. Students' own experiences of schooling and their relationship to the

course topics will be a focus.

OBJECTIVES

The central goal of this course is to engage students in informed critical

discussions of the purposes and, practices of schooling. Students will be introduced

to a variety of perspectives on schooling and the influence of history on current

social issues.

OUTLINE OF TOPICS

Education as a social process; streams of sociological thought applied to education;

politics of education; racism, sexism, class bias in education; and educational

change.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Brand, Dionne and Bhaggiyadatta, Krisantha Sri, 1986. Rivers Have Sources,

Trees Have Roots: Speaking of Racism. Toronto: Cross Cultural Communication

Centre.

Feinberg, Walter and Soltis, Jonas F. 1985. School and Society. New York:

Teachers College Press.

Gaskell, Jane; Mclaren, Arlene and Novogrodsky, Myra. 1989. Claiming an

Education: Feminism and Canadian Schools. Toronto; Garamond Press.

And one of the recommended texts available in the bookstore.