Curriculum Theories, Practice, and Design

3 credits

The overarching objective for Curriculum Theories and Practice is to help course participants develop and clarify their philosophy of education, in particular, their beliefs regarding the purposes and processes of effective and equitable curricular organization. To do so, the class explores varied ways of conceptualizing a school curriculum, drawing on insights from major curriculum designers, both past and present, U.S. and international. So students appreciate the ever-evolving nature of effective teaching practices and related school curricula, they will assess their own experiences with educational and institutional change processes writ large. Aiming to help course participants to thrive in the current, volatile educational and political climate, students will consider various approaches to multicultural education, anti-racist education, and inclusion practices that aim to transform the curriculum, attending to the needs of all students and overtly promoting equitable outcomes. In doing so, students will enact alternative strategies for assessment that provide multiple and authentic measures of student learning. Ultimately the course intends to help students consider how school curricula can be structured to promote social justice.