University of Minnesota Duluth 

Syllabus for Educ 1101: Education in Modern Society. Three credits--Fall 2007

Class meets: Section 2; Tuesdays, 4:00-6:45 p.m.

Final examination:     TBA
Location: Montague 80
Instructor: Christopher W. Johnson

TA: Nick Olson olso1991@d.umn.edu
Office: 213 Engr (near library entrance)

Office Hours: CWJohnson's Schedule

Email:  cwjohnso@d.umn.edu

Telephone: 726-7042


Course description:
This course provides a survey of educational institutions and practices used in different sectors of American society. Historical and philosophical foundations of American education are also explored.

Course overview:
Education in Modern Society will provide you with a comprehensive study of the history, present, and future of education in the United States. The reflective learner will gain knowledge and insight into understanding students, teachers, education history, education philosophy, politics, sociology, organization, pedagogy, reform, and opportunities for the future of American education

Required text:
Sadker, D. & Zittleman, K.  (2007). Schools, teachers and society. New York:  McGraw-Hill. This text includes supplemental readings on a CD-ROM diskette. One per chapter will be required.

Register response cards :   http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/classroom/srs_responsecards.html

Tech support:  http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/helpdesk/

Dispositions:
This course will help your develop and strengthen the following professional dispositions--or characteristics of mind, affect, and body.
1. Attendance and punctuality    2. Self initiative and independence    3. Reliability and dependability    4. Oral expression    5. Written expression    6. Critical thinking skills    7. Tactful judgment    8. Collegiality    9. Reflective response to feedback     10. Interaction with students, peers, teachers, others    11. Desire to improve own teaching performance    12. Commitment to the education profession    13. Positive attitude toward others     14. Professional ethics and demeanor.

Instructional strategies:
You will be working alone, in pairs, in cooperative groupings, in large groups, and as a class. Alone, you will read in preparation for class. As a group, we will look into the required readings in order to understand these from a scholarly perspective. We will also work together as a class in order to examine, discuss, and interpret our materials and their implications for education in modern society.

Diversity:
Your diversity will be respected here. Your respect for diversity is necessary and expected. This course will involve a variety of perspectives in order to better understand education in (post) modern society.

Attendance expectations:
Attendance is expected at all classes--except in the case of an emergency.

Assignment expectations:
All written work must be professional in nature. This means:

• All written work must be on time, word processed, spell checked, grammatical, and free of mechanical or grammatical errors.
• Late work may be considered for partial credit if accompanied by a written request which meets the above criteria.
• When in doubt, ask questions--well before the due date. 

IMPORTANT
I INVITE ANY OF YOU WHO HAVE A DISABILITY, EITHER PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY, OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MIGHT AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM IN THIS CLASS TO INFORM ME SO THAT TOGETHER WE CAN ADAPT METHODS, MATERIALS, OR ASSIGNMENTS AS NEEDED TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION.