Teaching Fellows Program University of North Carolina Wilmington
TFP 301
Race and Education
Fall 2010
Catalog Description: (1) Prerequisite: Formal enrollment in the Teaching Fellows
Program or consent of director. The legacy of slavery, immigration and other issues of origin
will be explore through the lens of Critical Race Theory, colorblindness, education policy,
affirmative action and other sociological perspectives in order to help understand its impact upon
education.
Conceptual Framework: This course is designed to focus on key components of
the Watson School of Education’s conceptual framework: The WSE develops
highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles. TFP 301
supports this framework through discussions, class activities, readings, projects and
evaluations. These projects afford students the opportunity to develop the following
competencies:
Informed data driven decision making
o Reflective practice
o Commitment to ethical and professional standards
o Technology integration
o Ability to meet needs of diverse learners
o Knowledge and use of appropriate communication strategies
Individual student growth in these areas will result in educational practice that positively impacts
learning.
Course Objectives:
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To understand the social construction of ‘race’ and its root as a tool for
discrimination.
To understand the legacy of slavery in the United States of America in terms of
socioeconomic status as well as education.
Exploration of discrimination of differing groups in US history.
To explore historic and current solutions to perceived racial inequalities.
To understand be able to utilize Critical Race Theory as a response to the current
legal structure and its upholding of current power structure.
To understanding “otherizing” and binary opposition models of discrimination.
To explore and understand the concepts of colorblindness and intersectionality.
North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards
1.5 Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards.
2.1 Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing
relationship with caring adults.
2.2 Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world.
2.3 Teachers treat students as individuals.
4.7 Teachers communicate effectively.
5.3 Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.
Course Outcomes/Projects:
1. Self-reflection of discrimination.
2. Essay on discrimination topic of choice.
3. Debate on the merits of the current solutions to racial inequalities.
4. Group exercise in creating better solutions to discrimination both theoretically and
practically.
Class Attendance
Tardiness, requests to leave early, and/or absences will result in your grade being lowered a
half letter grade. (ONE absence is permitted but not recommended.) None of these reasons
excuse you from fulfilling all course requirements. Please make an appointment with me
within the first three (3) weeks of class if you have scholarship responsibilities that require
you to miss classes due to UNCW-sponsored events or performances.
Grade Distribution – Grades earned are awarded using the University letter system.
A 90-100 C 70-79 F 59 & Below
B 80-89 D 60-69
UNCW Honor Code Statement
All students enrolled at UNCW are subject to the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code
(hereafter referred to as the Honor Code), which is intended to help every member of the UNCW
community appreciate the high value placed on academic integrity and the means that will be
employed to ensure its preservation. Students are expected to perpetuate a campus culture where
each student does his or her own work while relying on appropriate resources for assistance. In
such a climate students enjoy a special trust that they are members of a unique community where
one’s thoughts and words are attributed correctly and with proper ownership, and where there is
little need for systems to sanction those who cheat. As such, all UNCW students shall commit to
the principles and spirit of the Honor Code by adhering to the following pledge: “As a student at
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, I am committed to honesty and truthfulness in
academic inquiry and in the pursuit of knowledge. I pledge to uphold and promote the UNCW
Student Academic Honor Code.”