Critical Social Theories
This survey course examines the foundations, applications, and practice of critical social theories in U.S. education. Through rigorous texts, engaged discussion, and reflective assignments, this course aims to address the following central questions: What is theory and who gets to define that?; What is social theory?; What is critical about critical social theories?; How is theory pertinent to practical, everyday educational practices?; How can and does education contribute to either reinforcing or challenging relations of power and domination in the modern era?; and What is your relationship to critical social theory?
Outcomes: This course has been designed to meet the following objectives: Students will: 1) Use prior knowledge to make real-word connections to critical social theories; 2) Understand and apply critical social theories to their personal and professional contexts; 3) Increase their reflexivity with regards to critical social issues; 4) Engage in aesthetic educational practices; 5) Embrace conflict as a necessary part of the learning process; 6) Examine the hidden curriculum of higher education through the application of critical social theories; 7) Explore with "play" as a necessary aspect of authentic learning; 8) Experience multimodal approaches to engaging the course content.
Outcomes: This course has been designed to meet the following objectives: Students will: 1) Use prior knowledge to make real-word connections to critical social theories; 2) Understand and apply critical social theories to their personal and professional contexts; 3) Increase their reflexivity with regards to critical social issues; 4) Engage in aesthetic educational practices; 5) Embrace conflict as a necessary part of the learning process; 6) Examine the hidden curriculum of higher education through the application of critical social theories; 7) Explore with "play" as a necessary aspect of authentic learning; 8) Experience multimodal approaches to engaging the course content.