Fall 2008

U ED. 73100 Policy Area Seminar: Theory, Design, and Methodology in Education Policy Research, Jean Anyon, Wednesday, 4:15 – 6:15 PM

This course is designed to develop awareness and understanding of available theories, research designs, and methods for students engaged in education policy research. Course utilizes a workshop method and is highly individualized. See Professor Anyon if interested.

U ED. 75100 Program Seminar: Globalization of Schooling and Pedagogy, Joel Spring, Thursday 4:15 – 6:15 PM

The course’s title, Globalization of Schooling and Pedagogy, refers to the growing interconnectedness and uniformity of national educational systems. This seminar will discuss the major education issues affecting most nations in the world, such as multiculturalism, language diversity, nationalism, and the rise of the educational security state. Discussions of culture and language diversity will focus on recent studies in social psychology on differences between cultures on how students see and know the world. The seminar will also consider the effect on education policies of the activities of the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations, and the large number of global non-government organizations (NGOs), particularly human rights and environmental groups. The seminar will also consider alternatives to the current economic paradigm guiding global policies, including the policies of the United States. 

The seminar will discuss readings on education, globalization, and cultural differences. Participants will be asked to write two essays on topics they select that relate their interests and field of studies to global issues.

U ED. 71100 Area Seminar in AHSS: Literacy in AHSS, Liqing Tao, Thursday, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

The literacy seminar will focus on English vocabulary acquisition and instruction. A brief examination of vocabulary research and instruction in the past several decades will provide the context for our examination of various theoretical and practical issues in this area of literacy. We will explore various aspects of vocabulary acquisition and instruction including phonological, morphological, syntactical, conceptual, experiential aspects. In addition, various measurements and issues related with vocabulary research vocabulary (including receptive and expressive vocabulary in different linguistic modes) will be discussed and serve as an assistance to develop substantive research projects to further our knowledge in the area.

U ED. 71200 Research Seminar in AHSS, Terrie Epstein, Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

The course will focus on the use of cognitive, sociocultural and critical theory to conduct research, as well as explore a variety of qualitative methodological approaches to investigate teaching and learning in school and community settings.  Readings will include examinations of exemplary empirical studies in the arts, literacy and history/citizenship education.  Students are encouraged to design and refine a study for the dissertation and will receive feedback on the study from the professor and classmates. 
 
U ED. 72100 Area Seminar in SMT: Mathematics Education, Frank Gardella, Thursday, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

In this seminar, participants will investigate the range of research relative to how students learn mathematics at all levels of schooling, from pre-school to university settings.  One focus will be research which studies the interplay between teaching and instruction including methodologies from both the traditional and reform curriculum standpoints.  Using the report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel (2008), participants will be encouraged to use their study to develop a research agenda in the areas in which the Panel found such work wanting.   This will include research on the development of algebraic thinking as well as quantitative literacy in students as they move through the various levels of development.  Participants will also focus on the impact of research of brain function on the learning of mathematics and the pedagogical processes used in its teaching.  Students will also focus their work on research involving the learning of mathematics by diverse learners such as those with special needs relative to learning disabilities, giftedness and English Language Learner issues.