San Diego State University
Education 350-Education in American Society
Spring, 2014
Hybrid Class, Fulfills GE Requirement for Social and Behavioral Sciences, 3 units
Mondays 1-1:50 and on-line modules
Instructor: Dr. Valerie Pang
North Ed 92, pang@mail.sdsu.edu
Teacher Education
Spring 2014
Required Computer Ability:
Be able to access Blackboard. Have a webportal account to get onto Blackboard.
Deadlines
Be sure to manage your time. There are several minimal assignments in the modules, so make sure you
do them on time. They are due by the following class on Monday at 1pm.
Required Text:
Teach, by Janice Koch (Second Edition), 2014. Be sure to purchase the second edition.
Disabled Student Services
Please let me know if you are eligible for Disabled Student Services. I want to ensure that every student
is supported in this class. For more information about this office, go to http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/.
Check Announcements and Email for Messages
Since our class is a hybrid course, be sure to check the announcements section and your email in case an
issue arises during the semester.
Introduction
What is the purpose of schooling?
Whose interests should the schools serve? Whose interests do they serve?
What should be taught? Who should make that decision?
Should curriculum be national or local?
Should the curriculum reflect multiculturalism?
Is multicultural education representative or divisive?
Racism exists in society. Can schools help solve that problem?
Should technology lead the quest for better schools?
My role in this class is to help you examine a series of educational issues/topics and to present
information about US schooling. The format for this class is hybrid, therefore you will need to come to
class on Mondays and then work on the modules when you choose during the week. Attendance is
extremely important since we only meet once a week.
Course Objectives
After the completion of this course the student will be able to:
1) define and analyze the purpose of schooling in the United States
2) discuss the Profession of Teaching in the United States.
3) examine the role of teachers in US schools.
4) contrast various perspectives on issues such as equal education opportunity and standardized testing.
5) define issues around power and control in schools.
6) examine the issue of the academic achievement gap.
7) identify ways in which technology impacts schooling.
1
Course Activities (Thanks to Professor McClure for her suggestions.)
Course activities vary. We will have minimal lectures, guest speakers, discussions, and videos.
Course Requirements
1. Class participation and attendance
Students are expected to attend class, the entire class scheduled, and to participate in class
activities. There are numerous in-class response papers to videos, guest speakers, and activities
that will be assigned points. In-class response papers will be accepted only the day assigned.
Partial responses and late papers will not be accepted.
2. Assignments and Grading
Characteristics of Great Teachers (Module 2) (20 points)
Honoring Diversity (Module 3, Babies) (20 points)
What Does An Effective Teacher Do? (Module 4) (20 points)
Who is your Title IX Athlete Role Model? (Module 7) (20 points)
Who is Ruby Bridges? What did this six-year old do to help all of us? (Module 8) (20 points)
In-Class Response Papers (150 points)
Short Paper, Will be described on BB (20 points)
Quizzes (in class) (80 points)
Final Exam (in class) (100 points)
Extra-Credit project (50 points)
Total Points possible (not including extra credit project)-450 points
Additional Core Information
1. An “incomplete” grade will not be given unless there is a serious medical or personal reason. See
professor.
2. Lectures cannot be taped since they are property of the university/faculty member and may not be
used for any commercial purpose. Students found to be in violation may be subject to discipline
under University’s Student Conduct Code.
3. Please make arrangements to get any handouts that you may miss when you are absent.
4. Since we only meet once a week and have guest lecturers, please do not come in late, leave early,
talk during class, or engage in disruptive behavior-this includes the use of cell phones. Please
power down your cell phones during the class. We can create a welcoming, enjoyable and
supportive community by respecting others.
Guidelines To Live By
Students are expected to maintain the highest professional, ethical, and moral standards at all times.
Dependability and reliability are two of the characteristics your professor wishes to encourage. You are
expected to be prepared and attend all class meetings. Following are some examples of “do’s and don’ts”
for your consideration:
1) Complete all work on time. The only excused absences are those for serious and compelling reasons that
can be documented.
2) Cooperate with others whenever appropriate.
3) Use the “buddy” system for written projects; have someone else edit your papers before handing them in.
4) Cite all sources, use quotation marks when directly quoting sources.
2
Major Assignments1) Attend class and participate.
2) Complete all readings and complete all on line module assignments on time. Late entries will be
penalized by 5 points for late submission.
3) Complete assignments as required.
4) Make sure your name is included on all paperwork especially the assignments and quizzes
completed in class.
5) All assignments are to be well-written and free from spelling and punctuation errors. Do not use
“first-person” in your written work.
6) Integrity and honesty are expected from all students. There is no tolerance for behaviors
such as cheating, lying, plagiarizing,* manipulating, or being rude to any students or
instructors in the class. Students who commit such behaviors risk dismissal from the class
with a failing grade, and most importantly, the disapproval and disappointment from the
professors. (Thanks to Professor McClure).
*Plagiarize: to use, steal, and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as one’s own: use
(another’s work) without crediting the course: literary theft (American Dictionary.com)
Standards
A = Significantly exceeds standards for a 300 level class. Participation and attendance in 90%
of the sessions. Completed all assignments. Written material is of publishable quality.
Presentation of written material is professional with consistent margins, type face, and
well-formatted bibliographies and footnotes. Print is unquestionably legible and cleanly
presented. Content shows originality, depth of thought, critical thinking, and identified
evidence from readings (with page numbers). The collaborative issues essay must be
completed with high quality along (identifying evidence from readings and list of
references). In addition, all assignments listed under standards for a B grade must be
turned in demonstrating high quality. Points 405-450
B=
Exceeds minimal standards for a 300 level course but not the level of an “A.” Attended
and participated in at least 80% of the classes. Completed all assignments. Content may
recapitulate thoughts of others, but is not particularly original nor critical in its approach.
Mechanics are in place and the writing flows well and the thoughts make sense. All
assignments must be completed as listed in the Course Activities section which includes
the group project, discussion boards, quizzes, exams, group presentation, personal
portfolio, participation in on line lectures, and charts. In addition, the professor will
assign participation points. Quizzes should be passed with at least 80 percent correct.
Points 360-404
C=
Meets minimal standards for a 300 level course. Have participated in and attended only
70% of the classes. You have completed all assignment, but there are errors in the
mechanics, required sections may be somewhat weak or nonexistent, the flow is logical
but not consistently so. All quizzes were not have completed. Quizzes were passed at the
70 percent correct level. Not all discussion board entries were submitted. The quality of
these meet minimal standards. Points 315-359
D=
Does not meet minimal standards for a 300 level course as stated above for Standard C because
assignments were not completed and/or turned in. There were more than 20 percent of the
assignments missing. Points-Below 315
3
Rubric for Discussion Boards, Small Group Discussions, and Personal Journal EntriesAll Discussions Are Respectful (cr/nc with 60% as the criteria)
Contributes to the discussion with a new idea or insight furthering the discussion, Comments are
clear and not vague (20 percent)
Evidence is presented from readings, videos, and individual research (20 percent)
Responds in a way that supports and encourages others to also respond (for discussion boards)
(20 percent)
Discussion is on an evaluative level where analysis is demonstrated (40 percent)
(Are there contradictions in responses? Recommendations? Explain your point of view,
do not restate what is already in the readings. In responding to posts, explain what you
agree with/disagree with and why.)
Date
Lecture, Topic
On Line Module
January
27
Description of Class, Introduction
Fill out student profile sheet
February
3
The Funny Things Students Say
Module 1
Read through the Table of Contents and pages 6-11.
Learn about the different icons.
Introduction to Education in American Society
Who were the teachers you liked in school? Why?
How would you engage the student pictured in the module?
Module 2
Characteristics of a great teacher-Personal Journal
Portfolio entryMust be completed by February 9 at midnight
Module 3
Honoring Diversity
Read pages 17 and 19-20 of book.
February
10
Globalization: Pulitzer Prize Photos
as Education
Why are SDSU students
Important? What services are
there for students at SDSU?
Guest Speaker: Professor Freddie
Sanchez, Director SDSU Office of
Intercultural Relations
February
17
February
24
March 3
Guest Speaker: Professor Audra
White, Director of Afterschool
Unlimited
Why Are Afterschool Programs
Important? What Changes are
Needed?
“To teach is to learn.”
Koch, 2014,
p. 40
Why philosophy is important in
schooling?
How Can We Engage More
High School Students in
Their Learning?
Guest Speaker: Professor
Easter Finley, Assistant Principal
How Does Culture Impact How We Learn and Grow Up?
Video: Babies
Personal Journal Entry
Due by Feb 16 midnight
Module 4
Read pages 25-36 in the book.
The Profession of Teaching
Personal Journal Entry-What makes these teachers effective?
Due by Feb 23rd by midnight.
Module 5
Read pages 37-40 in the book.
Teachers Continue To Learn
Do you like to learn? About What?
Why do people like learning? Why do some engage in lots of
personal growth? Who did the videos follow? Why were they
picked?
Module 6
Read pages 45-60 in the book.
History of Schooling in America
Dewey believed that students should be actively engaged in
their own learning through inquiry education. He also believed
students should be involved as active citizens of a democracy.
What were some of his contributions to schools? Have you had
4
March 10
March 17
Southwest High School
Special Education and Disability
Studies: Meeting the Needs of All
Kids
teachers who used his methods? Which methods were they?
Module 7
Read pages 60-67 in the book about various movements and
legislation in schools.
Guest Speakers: Professors Sara
McDaniel and Brian Valentini,
Researchers/Teachers in the
Department of Special Education
Ruby Bridges
Title IX
Personal Journal Entry-Who is the most important Title IX
Athlete? Why did you choose this person?
Entry due to March 16th at midnight.
Module 8
Review the discussion of Separate But Equal in the book.
Ruby Bridges
Why do you think Norman Rockwell painted her and what she
went through as a first grader?
Personal Portfolio Entry
What did Ruby Bridges do that probably impacted your life?
Describe at least two ways that what she did made a difference
in your life?
No Module, Hurray!
Enjoy Your Time Off.
March 24
March 31
Quiz In Class: Review
Spring BREAK!!!!!
Time for dancing and chilling out.
April 7
Guest Professor: Freddie Sanchez
April 14
April 21
April 28
Why is language learning
important in our world?
Guest Speaker: Professor Breann
Mudrick, Researcher, Spanish and
Linguistics
How Can Culture Be Integrated
Into the Curriculum?
Why Latino History is Important
to All of Us
Module 9
Read pages 70-78 in the book.
Cognition and How To Create Effective Lessons
Module 10
Read pages 88-96 in book
Diversity in Students
Personal Journal Entry (Due April 20th by 9pm)
How did culture influence the life of Jake Shimabukuro?
Video: Life on Four Strings
Module 11
Multicultural Education
Latino History
Latino History is US History
Latino History contributed to all of us.
Module 12
Technology in the Classroom
Kahn Academy
How effective is this type of learning for you? Why?
May 3 In Class Final Exam
Extra Credit Project, Due by May 12th at midnight
Complete Module 13
Bullied: A Student, A School and A Case That Made History
Write your essay in the Personal Journal Entry link: At least 700 words
5