Time Schedule:
Judith M.S. Pine
ANTH 467
Seattle Campus
Uses a wide range of social theory and philosophy to investigate mechanisms which reproduce inequality and asymmetry in American education.
Class description
In this class we will use a variety of sources, including ethnographic texts, scholarly writing, and material from the popular press to explore the ways in which the educational system in the United States constructs and maintains inequality and asymmetry both within the educational system and in the broader society. The course grounds a significant amount of theory, ranging from Foucault to Freire, in specific ethnographic material, providing a truly anthropological approach to this important issue in education.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Although the class is large, much of the course will be conducted in a seminar format. Students will be expected to bring to their own experiences as subjects formed by an educational system. Students will work independently and as members of small presentation teams, with a strong focus on collaborative learning.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Students will engage in one team presentation based on course reading, and each student will individually produce a summary of their team's presentation. Each student will complete a brief peer evaluation of another team's presentation. Finally, each student will write a brief (5-7 page) paper on a topic relevant to both the class and the student's own interests.
