GECRT SS 101 Schools and Society Course Description (Fall semester )

The social and behavioral sciences systematically investigate human behavior in individual, social, and cultural contexts. They apply theories and critical thinking processes to understand how human thought and behavior is studied and how it is influenced by one’s settings.

What is human behavior? How do humans influence and are influenced by the world around them? How can we study behavior in a meaningful way given just how complex humans and societies are?

In this course, students use perspectives and frameworks from the social sciences to identify and explore relevant questions. In particular, students will collect and evaluate evidence from which conclusions about the human experience or behavior can be drawn.  Students will explore a specific topic or theme in order to investigate these questions.  

In this section of the course, we will focus on how social scientists study Education & Society. This class will investigate the ways in which formal schooling, schools, and society impact our thinking and shapes our worldview and behaviors. We will primarily focus on how researchers in the field of education approach this study. However, assignments and course activities will also introduce how researchers in other fields approach this same phenomenon. 

Student assignment samples:

3 Levels of Text Protocol example displayed in class (Discussion Circle 1)

LEVEL 1: Literal (Read the Text Aloud)

"The 1966 Coleman Report concluded that variations in children’s math and reading skills were mostly a product of children’s families, not their schools" (Domina et al., 2019, p. 24).

LEVEL 2: Interpretation (What You Think About It)

This means family background—like income, education, or home life—matters more than what school a child attends. It surprised me, because I always thought schools had the biggest impact. It makes me think about how unfair it is that some kids don’t get the same support at home as others.

LEVEL 3: Implications (Why It Matters to You / School / Society)

As a future educator or policymaker, this shows I can't just rely on schools alone to close achievement gaps. Families and communities need support too. It also pushes me to think about how schools can partner with families better to help all students learn.

Reference

Domina, T., Gibbs, B., Nunn, L., & Penner, A. (2019). Education and Society: An Introduction to Key Issues in the Sociology of Education. Berkeley: University of California Press. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520968301 (Reference entry should use hanging style, but Google sites does not support it)

More assignment samples will be posted before assignments are due.

Copyright © Dr. Michael Wei