2024-2025 Course Catalog

Please note: The information displayed here is current as of Sunday, December 22, 2024, but the official Course Catalog should be used for all official planning.

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Education Studies

ProfessorB. Williams (chair)
Associate professorsS. Burdick-Shepherd, S. Purkey (Bee Connell Mielke Professor of Education, chair)
InstructorC. Despres-Berry (Center for Academic Success)
LecturersD. Clementi, M. Engman, E. Lucas, M. Pokwinski

The minor in education studies introduces students to the study of education as an academic area within the liberal arts. Students inquire into the foundations of education, the historical and present-day relationship between school and society, the part formal education plays in human development, and/or contemporary issues of education policy and practice.

The minor prepares students for further study or work in a variety of education-related fields, including education philosophy or policy, literacy, educational psychology, or applied work in arts organizations, museums, and other cultural institutions. The minor can also be a bridge to post-graduate certification in special education, school psychology, or related fields.


Required for the minor in education studies

  1. Three foundational courses:
    1. EDST 180: Psychology of Learning
    2. Either EDST 315: Philosophy of Children or EDST 270: Why Read Children's Books?
    3. EDST 350: Ethnicity, Cultural Diversity, and Education
  2. Three elective courses in education studies (EDST), child development (PSYC 260/265), and/or adolescent development (PSYC 460), with at least one at the 400 level or above. See course descriptions for options.

A course from a department other than education or psychology that deals with the study of education, children, or adolescents may count as one of the electives with prior approval from the education department chair.


Courses - Education Studies

EDST 180: Psychology of Learning

An introduction to the science of learning and how it applies to educational contexts. Topics include brain structure and development; types of memory and learning processes; approaches to building knowledge, skills, and understanding; and factors that drive more powerful and successful learning. Each student will arrange their own practicum of three hours per week in a school class or similar learning environment.
Units: 6
Also listed as Psychology 180

EDST 191: Directed Study in Education Studies

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

EDST 195: Internship in Education Studies

Internship in a school or district office, museum or arts organization, other non-profit or community organization, social services agency, governmental body, policy or advocacy group, or other education-related setting with prior approval. (Does not count toward teacher certification.) The academic component of the internship includes readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty supervisor, and a written report appropriate to the discipline. Course grades are based on this academic work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

EDST 200: To Be of Use: Exploring the Call to Teach

There is a strong human desire to make a meaningful difference in our communities and the larger world. For many that means hearing the call to teach, whether in a school or collegiate classroom or helping profession. In this seminar we explore the call to teach, to make a difference through educational praxis, to be of use, using literature, art, music, and dialogue. Student work includes in-class presentations and projects.
Units: 3

EDST 209: Hollywood Goes to High School

Year after year, Hollywood turns out movies that are set in schools and present images of teachers and teens. Many of these films address typical coming-of-age issues, societal fear of teen crime and delinquency and, of course, the search for romance. A subset of these films provide powerful and culturally enduring images of teachers and teaching. High school movies also provide insight into the fantasies, anxieties, dreams, and assumptions prevalent in American culture. This course will examine the world and worldview found in Hollywood high school movies and the extent to which the stories they tell make us who we are.
Units: 6
Also listed as Film Studies 209

EDST 210: Topics in Education and Community Engagement

In this topics course, students combine practice in the community with academic coursework to examine a contemporary issue in education and society. typically, one-third of the course takes place in community settings. May be repeated when topics are different.

Topic

PREREQUISITES: Sophomore Standing
Units: 1 TO 6
Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing

EDST 270: Why Read Children's Books?

This seminar explores the complex ways children's literature affect readers of all ages. We will immerse ourselves in reading works from Where the Wild Things Are to Charlotte's Web as we examine what it means to be a reader of children's literature by looking at our own and children's responses to the experience and joy of reading. Discussion, reflective writing and collaborative community projects.
Units: 6

EDST 315: Philosophy of Children

Students will consider childhood and children through a philosophical lens. The first half of the course will focus on the philosophy of childhood; the second half will focus on how children philosophize the world, children's rights, and adult responsibilities. Readings will derive from philosophical texts, fiction and children's literature, and social media. Students may elect to also enroll in EDST 316 for a field experience practicum in elementary classrooms. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing
Units: 6
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 316: Philosophy of Children Practicum

Field experiences in elementary classrooms encouraging children's wonder through philosophical discussion. This is an optional practicum for the course EDST 315 Philosophy of Children. Students will design philosophy lessons for young children and will conduct these lessons in small cooperative groups. PREREQUISITES: EDST 315 (taken in the past or concurrently).
Units: 2
Prerequisite: EDST 315 (taken in the past or concurrently).

EDST 345: Distributed Cognition and the Extended Mind

The new science of the mind treats cognition as a distributed process involving the brain, body, and world. This seminar explores the role of material settings and tools, bodily engagement, social interaction, and cultural processes in human reasoning, problem solving, and learning. Students will write short papers examining aspects of cognitive activity in real-world settings. PREREQUISITES: PHIL 105 recommended
Units: 6
Also listed as Anthropology 345, Psychology 345, Cognitive Science 345
Prerequisite: PHIL 105 recommended

EDST 350: Ethnicity, Cultural Diversity, and Education

A study of the experience of children and adolescents from different ethnic, cultural, and economic groups. Emphasis on understanding the social consequences of these differences and how such differences affect educational achievement and attainment. The sources and educational effects of individual, institutional, and systemic racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and discrimination will also be examined. A 20-hour practicum in a K-12 English Learners classroom or similar setting is required. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing
Units: 6
Also listed as Ethnic Studies 352
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 390: Tutorial in Education Studies

Tutorial studies in the fields of educational policy, environmental education, history of education, comparative education and on various topics related to the social foundations of education. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor

EDST 391: Directed Study in Education Studies

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

EDST 395: Internship in Education Studies

Internship in a school or district office, museum or arts organization, other non-profit or community organization, social services agency, governmental body, policy or advocacy group, or other education-related setting with prior approval. (Does not count toward teacher certification.) The academic component of the internship includes readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty supervisor, and a written report appropriate to the discipline. Course grades are based on this academic work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

EDST 399: Independent Study in Education Studies

Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor

EDST 400: The Environment, Community, and Education

The course will examine the relationship between community-mindedness and the development of ecological literacy. Cultural assumptions about the natural world and our place in it that are implicit within the K-12 and college curriculum, and the manner in which modern forms of education shape our understanding of what it means to “live well in a place we know well” will be explored. Examples of how schools can contribute to environmental and social sustainability (and justice) via community- and place-based education will be presented. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor
Units: 6
Also listed as Environmental Studies 460
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

EDST 410: Impossible Choices? Ethical Dilemmas in Education

In this course we question conventional understandings of what the good is, what it should be, and what it can be in educational contexts. We discuss common ethical dilemmas central to schooling, including how these intersect with issues of race, class, and gender, and we consider challenges to traditional schooling structures.Papers include case studies and reflections. PREREQUISITES: sophomore standing
Units: 6
Prerequisite: sophomore standing

EDST 412: Foundations of Literacy in a Diverse Society

Through community experience and lab work the student will examine reading instructional practices and the contemporary issues teachers of language and reading face in a diverse society, and will consider the purposes of learning to read and becoming literate in the world. Students will gain understanding of literacy theories and explore reading development and the acquisition of reading competency. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing
Units: 6
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 440: Sociology of Education

An examination of the social foundations of education in the United States with particular attention paid to the cultural, political, and economic functions of education in modern society. Other topics include the reproductive function of schooling in a society divided along lines of race/ethnicity and class, schools as sites of cultural production, and the historical tension in the U.S. between equity and excellence in education. Practicum of 20 hours required. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing
Units: 6
Also listed as Ethnic Studies 340
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 450: Topics in Education Studies

This seminar explores issues in contemporary education. Topics vary by term and focus on controversies or innovations in educational systems, practices, and policy or in the relations between school and society. May be repeated when topic is different.

Topics TBD

Units: 6
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and one course in education studies or instructor approval

EDST 590: Tutorial in Education Studies

Tutorial studies in the fields of educational policy, environmental education, history of education, comparative education and on various topics related to the social foundations of education. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor

EDST 591: Directed Study in Education Studies

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

EDST 595: Internship in Education Studies

Internship in a school or district office, museum or arts organization, other non-profit or community organization, social services agency, governmental body, policy or advocacy group, or other education-related setting with prior approval. (Does not count toward teacher certification.) The academic component of the internship includes readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty supervisor, and a written report appropriate to the discipline. Course grades are based on this academic work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

EDST 599: Independent Study in Education Studies

Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor

EDST 690: Tutorial in Education Studies

Tutorial studies in the fields of educational policy, environmental education, history of education, comparative education and on various topics related to the social foundations of education. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor

EDST 691: Directed Study in Education Studies

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

EDST 695: Internship in Education Studies

Internship in a school or district office, museum or arts organization, other non-profit or community organization, social services agency, governmental body, policy or advocacy group, or other education-related setting with prior approval. (Does not count toward teacher certification.) The academic component of the internship includes readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty supervisor, and a written report appropriate to the discipline. Course grades are based on this academic work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.
Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

EDST 699: Independent Study in Education Studies

Units: 1 TO 98
Prerequisite: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor