History and Ethics of Education

Course Description

Examines the role and nature of schools in the United States through an exploration of a range of cultural, philosophical, historical, legal, political, and ethical perspective.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze and interpret the educational issues and professional practices that promote self-directed reflective learners;
• Examine the implications of political, economic, social, and technological trends and their potential impact on public schools;
• Analyze the role of historical educational practices, major historical events that influenced education during their lifetime, and their relationship to contemporary educational policy trends in education, educational reform and school improvement and instructional strategies
• Discuss the role of philosophy in the work of a teacher and examine the underlying beliefs and values of the philosophical perspectives of idealism, pragmatism, existentialism, and cultural ways of knowing for the purpose of articulating their own philosophy of education.
• Interpret the responsibilities, ethical expectations, and professional commitments expected of a teacher.
• Articulate how curriculum effects the transfer of knowledge.
• Discuss the effects of educational inequality on student achievement.
• Discuss the historical context of American education and their relationship to present trends in education, educational reform and school improvement.
• Understand the implications of federal legislation’s impact on state and local curriculum decisions for k-12 students.
• Evaluate the legal roles and responsibilities of the federal and state governments in defining the rights and responsibilities of members of the overall education community.
• Analyze the organizational structure of the educational system to include the roles and responsibilities of state and local school boards and their involvement in shaping educational program for all K-12 students, including culturally and linguistically diverse students, and students with special needs.

Prerequisites

• TED320