Systems and Schools: Research Lab

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Given the substantial number of children nationwide who have current or formerly incarcerated parents, undocumented parents, or parents who have been investigated by the child welfare system, there is a clear need to understand how involvement with these surveilling systems influences involvement with the school system. This class will pair close analysis of empirical research and sociological theory with opportunities to engage in qualitative fieldwork within the local community in efforts to unravel the precise links among families, schools, and surveilling systems to better understand how secondary effects of involvement with these systems have implications for children's schooling and parental engagement. Students will learn sociological theories, practice qualitative data collection techniques, and have a range of opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to an ongoing community-based research project.