Equality of Educational Oppor

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Most of us are familiar with the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. Some of us may have even celebrated or acknowledged the anniversary of the decision in our schools or communities in the past. But how much do you really know about this historic case? Have you ever had an opportunity to take a deep dive into this decision to fully understand its significance, the social conditions that precipitated the case, or what the plaintiffs and justices hoped to achieve? Have you ever wondered how much progress the country has made toward achieving those goals? Using a sociological lens that challenges us to consider the social forces that shape our institutions and everyday experiences, this course provides an opportunity for you to explore those questions through existing research, documentary films, guest lectures, local exhibits, and your own original research on the K-12 educational experiences of your peers. As we approach the 70th anniversary of Brown, this seminar will examine equality of educational opportunity then and now, addressing topics such as the changing definition of race, de jure and de facto segregation, busing, between-school segregation, and tracking and ability grouping.