DSOC 2710 - America’s Promise: Social and Political Context of American Education

(crosslisted) AMST 2710, EDUC 2710, SOC 2710
(D-AG, HA-AG, SBA-AG)

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Co-meets with AMST 5710/DSOC 5710/EDUC 5710/SOC 5710.

J. Sipple.

This course is a blending of the Sociology of Education and Public Policy. Front and center in this course is the question of why consistent differential educational and economic outcomes exists in American society. We explore the broad sociological functions of schooling (socialization, sorting, caretaking, training) as well as local, state, and federal policies and court decisions.

Outcome 1: Recognize and interpret the sociological function(s) of American Schools (e.g., socializer, sorter, trainer, and caretaker) as well as its role as a change agent, an equalizer, and reproducer of society’s inequalities).

Outcome 2: Integrate education into the major public policy issues in American society.

Outcome 3: Learn the legal framework and justification for local, state, and federal roles in public and private schooling.

Outcome 4: Develop a critical understanding of both schools and the critics of schools.

Outcome 5: Evaluate how schools and communities respond to the multitude of societal, private, and governmental pressures.