ELP 592SEM - American Education in a Global Context

A person seeking to develop a better understanding of the United States could find no better place to begin than to study American education. Schools in the U.S. both shape and are shaped by the communities they serve, and by American society at-large. Public schools provide the foundation for America’ s democracy and are the gateway to the “American Dream”. This course is intended to help students develop a better understanding of America’s education system through readings, group discussions, projects and school visits. In this course, students will examine American education’s philosophical underpinnings, policy-making and governance structures. International students will be asked to compare education policies and practices in the U.S. with those in their home countries, or if American students, with policies and practices in other countries. There are no course prerequisites and both American and international students may register.

Credits: 3