For most of us in the US, going to school is a fundamental part of growing up and finding our places in the world. In this LC, we will examine how education shapes our society as well as how we see ourselves. We will ask questions about the role of teachers, how we navigate challenges as students, and what it means to be educated in society. In other words, together we will rethink what it means to teach and what it means to learn....
Fall 2023 classes include:
Best of Times/Worst of Times: College Student Stress and Success
Best of Times/Worst of Times: College Student Stress and Success
Faculty member teaching this course: Gina Cross
Some people see their college days as the best time of their lives, but there are recent reports of a mental health crisis on college campuses. Why do some students thrive while others struggle? This course will explain the stressors and illuminate the habits that help college students thrive mentally, physically, and academically.
"The Teacher '' in the Social Imaginary
"The Teacher '' in the Social Imaginary
Faculty member teaching this course: Kris Sloan
Enjoy multi-disciplinary, multi-textual explorations of images, identities, stereotypes, and experiences related to the title of Teacher. From TV teachers found in Abbott Elementary or Never Have I Ever to those on screen in Dangerous Minds or Blackboard Jungle, media representation of teachers both reveal and conceal their lived experiences. Our social imaginaries are products of values, institutions, laws, policies, symbols, and representations through which we imagine “the teacher.” So, jump headlong into a deep memetic reservoir of the possibilities and limitations that “teacher” evokes.
Gender, Sexuality and Schooling
Gender, Sexuality and Schooling
Faculty member teaching this course:Renee Pinchero
How do schools impact our social identities and experiences of the world? In what ways does “schooling” reproduce and police ideas around gender and sexuality? In what ways do schools offer students spaces to explore and express their identities? And, how do ideas about what constitutes learning and knowledge influence all of the above? In this class we will ask these questions and more as we explore a number of recent issues ranging from book bans to sex ed to trans athletes.
Schools, Society, and the Value of Education
Schools, Society, and the Value of Education
Faculty member teaching this course: David Abercia
What is the value of education? Society has been debating the role and importance of our schools, with some referring to today's education as indoctrination and activism. This course will analyze contested issues in education, such as curriculum design, school governance, accountability, and student and parent rights. In addition, students will engage in work in and out of the classroom, emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for active and responsible citizenship. The course will also provide students with an introduction to St. Edward's and its culture and resources, which will help students thrive in and out of the classroom