N

FRASER UNIVERSITY

Summer Session 2003

EDUC 471 - 4

?

Ann Chinnery

sdays & Thursdays 8:30-12:20

EDB 8651/2

Theor

y

and Practice

bo3.00

Office: EDB 9501

Phone: 291-5539

ahchinne@sfu.ca

PREREQUISITE:

60 credit hours

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 response - 20%

• mid-term group presentation - 20%

• final project - 40%

• participation - 20%

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)

• Please note: There will be no final examination in this course