MON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Summer Session 2002

EDUC 471 -4

Ann Chinnery

Curriculum Development: ?

Office: EDB 9501

Theory and Practice

Phone: 291-3395 / 205-9066

Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday ?

E-mail: ahchinne@sfu.ca

8:30-11:50 in EDB 8651/2

D02.00 ?

Office Hour: Thursdays 12:00-1:00

PREREQUISITE

60 credit hours

DESCRIPTION

We all teach from theory whether we realize it or not. However, without rigorous examination of

our theoretical frameworks - of

what

we teach,

why

we teach it, and

how

we teach it - we are less

able to adopt a critical stance toward the various approaches advocated by one agency or another.

In this course we will explore curriculum as historical, political and ethical text, paying particular

attention to the ways in which curriculum reflects the competing doctrines and practices of

contemporary North American society. We will also examine and reflect critically upon the cultural

assumptions (or "hidden curriculum") underpinning the various approaches, and our own

orientations toward them.

OBJECTIVES

The course will aim to:

• cultivate a critical appreciation for curriculum theory and curriculum documents

• foster the capacity for reflexive inquiry into our own theoretical frameworks and practices

• nurture the ability to participate in productive large and small group dialogues in a community

of inquiry

• identify and begin to foster the development of skills and ideas necessary to construct

curriculum

REQUIREMENTS

reading responses - 45%

workshop sessions toward the final paper - 15%

final paper - 40%

* Please note: There will be no final exam in this course.

REQUIRED TEXT

Beyer, Landon E., & Apple, Michael M. (Eds.)

The Curriculum: Problems, politics and possibilities.

2nd ed. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. ISBN 0-7914-3810-4.

(plus additional readings to be provided by the instructor)