January 27…Public Schooling in the U.S.: The Beginnings

Comment on Jefferson’s plan for public education, particularly on what his plan says about what TJ saw as the purpose of education.  How do Jefferson’s aims compare to Mann’s aims?  Feel free to also consider the plans’ shortcomings, but do your best to keep things in historical perspective. 

February 8…Schooling and Social Change in an Unjust Society

After reading a bit from Dubois and Washington, where do you come down on their disagreements regarding the best way to educate African-Americans in the post-civil War U.S.?  Does their debate have any relevance today (for African-Americans or other marginalized groups)?  

February 15…Progressive Approaches

From what you can tell, how would Dewey have reacted to the Brooklyn Free School?

February 17…Voices of Dissent: Lewis Mumford and EcoJustice

Often, educational traditionalists and political conservatives see our current schools as teaching a biased version of science and call for sticking to the “facts.”  Given this sort of opposition, is there any hope for ecojustice in p-12 public schools? What sort of reaction do you think a Mumfordian regional survey might receive?

February 22…Noddings: Schooling and a More Caring Society

February  22…Noddings: Schooling and a More Caring Society

Thinking back to your schooling, do you feel that you learned to “care”? If so, was it anything like Noddings’ version? Do keep in mind that, while she is most certainly interested in caring for others (and being cared), she is also talking about caring for learning, knowledge, etc. How do you think you would react to Noddings if you were preparing to become a teacher (Amy, you won’t need to pretend!)?

March 3…Politics, Obama and Education

Topic TBD

March 24…Waiting for Superman

What do you think was Davis Guggenheim’s purpose for creating the film?  Was it effective? Did Ravitch’s critique change how you feel about the film and/or charter schools?  Was she fair?  

Space for General Public Comments

Use this space to extend the dialogue regarding what we are doing in class or to start a conversation about anything you deem relevant to the course. There is no required posting here, it’s just another way for you to be in touch with our class community…use it if it’s helpful otherwise, no worries.