Society and Schools

Catalog description

This introductory diversity course explores the role that multiculturalism plays in schools and broader society. The course examines aspects of identity from anthropological, sociological, historical, political, and economic perspectives and how they intersect in school settings. It prepares students for teaching and working in increasingly diverse and pluralistic schools and communities, and specifically with minoritized cultures. As part of the course, students learn about Wisconsin Act 31, which refers to the requirement that education programs provide instruction on the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of Wisconsin's federally-recognized American Indian nations and tribal communities. This course maintains a concerted focus on how students, teachers, parents, and community members experience and perceive schooling in the United States. Students in the course develop a nuanced understanding of cultural representation at the individual, institutional, and societal levels by critically examining key texts as well as their own personal experiences. The course provides future teachers and all citizens with the analytical and pedagogical tools to ensure that multiculturalism is valued, cultivated, and promoted in classrooms across the U.S. CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States. Prerequisite: EDS 203 recommended. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.