EDUST-215 Ideas and Ideals in Public Education
Using an interdisciplinary framework, this course will examine the social, historical, legal, philosophical, economic, and political foundations of education in the United States. It is designed to engage students in an examination of the enduring questions, debates, and tensions that revolve around the institution of schooling in the U.S. Topics covered will include an examination of political ideologies that have informed past and current education reform movements, an historical perspective on access to education, and an analysis of trends in funding of public education, among others.
EDUST-250 Special Topics in Educational Studies
EDUST-250PH Special Topics in Educational Studies: 'Introduction to Sport Pedagogy'
This course is designed to introduce students to the many facets of sport pedagogy and coaching. Our focus is the strategies and styles of coaching youth sports. Topics include coaching philosophy, motor learning, anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology and risk management/liability. Other topics include the benefits of playing sports, developing age-appropriate instruction and training, goal setting, effective feedback, special issues in coaching children, and coaches as role models for children. In a local school system, we will apply the concepts and theories learned, by developing and implementing lesson plans to introduce various athletic skills and sports.
EDUST-295 Independent Study
EDUST-339EP Seminar in Educational Studies: 'Educational Policy'
In this course, students will explore educational policy including why policy-making and policies matter, what makes compelling evidence to various stakeholders, ways to identify levers for change, and the negotiation processes. We will consider local, state, federal policy, and international comparative cases. Students will analyze the ways in which policy, practice, and theory intersect or diverge, and why. Beyond course materials, students will choose a topic, draft and revise a written policy brief, as well as practice pitching policy through spoken word.
EDUST-351 Topics in Education
EDUST-351AD Topics in Education: 'Adult Literacy'
In this seminar, we will explore a number of literacy issues as they relate to the ever-present challenge of adult illiteracy. We will examine the following topics as they relate to adults with low-literacy skills: vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, and writing abilities. This is a Community-Based Learning course, and students will spend time each week tutoring adults in local Adult Basic Education centers to gain first-hand insights into these issues.
EDUST-351CH Topics in Education: 'Childhood and Adolescence in the U.S. Today'
This course will explore conceptualizations of childhood and adolescence in the United States today. Using both academic articles and media resources, the course will address topics such as: early education and school readiness; play and extracurricular involvement; college access and attendance; mental health, self-esteem, and social media; and youth activism. We will use developmental psychology as the lens for most of our readings and discussion, although the course will integrate concepts from sociology, history, and education. We will also examine the roles of relationships (e.g., family, teachers, and peers) and contexts (e.g., policy, schools, and culture) on youth experience.
EDUST-351LG Seminar in Developmental Psychology: 'Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood'
This course explores how home and school learning environments influence the development of language and literacy skills of children ages 3-8. It examines situations in which families and schools, although utilizing different languages, dialects, and ways of communicating, can work together to enhance children's language learning. Particular attention is given to children's development of academic language -- the written and spoken language needed to understand and create texts required for success in school.
EDUST-351RH Topics in Education: 'Puerto Rican Learning Opportunities in Holyoke'
In this course, students will learn about the history of Holyoke, the Puerto Rican community in Holyoke, and its diasporic connections. Instructors will introduce students to decolonial principles of community interaction, ethical considerations of community-based learning, Puerto Rican family and community engagement, Puerto Rican culture and values, and pedagogies of culturally relevant teaching. The course will culminate in a CBL project.
EDUST-351SJ Topics in Education: 'Social Justice and Education'
As U.S. racial group populations are on the rise, educational institutions need to prepare for racial diversity reflected in classrooms from elementary school to college. In this lab course, students will use qualitative research methods and social justice frameworks to code and analyze three distinct data sets, one collected from Puerto Rican parents in Holyoke; one from a college course on social justice; and one from pre-service teachers in public schools. Students will create posters to display their findings on the presence (or absence) of social justice in education at the end-of-semester event.
EDUST-395 Independent Study
