Washington Semester Program
Spring and Fall 2010 Semester Core Courses
Social and Cultural Foundations of Education
Required for all students in teacher certification programs but open to other students.This course investigates contemporary social and cultural issues in education and teaching combining historical, philosophical, sociological and anthropological perspectives. It also provides preparation for critically reflective decision making and for working effectively with diverse students and communities. Topics include: equal educational opportunity; the financing of U.S. schools; tracking and ability grouping; the sociocultural dynamics of teaching and learning; multicultural education; social class issues; gender bias and equity; the experiences of African American, Latino, Asian American, and linguistic minority students in U.S. schools; educating students with disabilities; the role of religion in U.S. schools; educating students with disabilities; issues of sexuality; working with families and communities; developing schools as caring learning communities; effective uses of technology and recent proposals for school reform.
The Arts of Public Washington
Offered only through the Washington Semester Program. 3 credits.Prerequisites: Three courses in the humanities and/or fine arts; sophomore standing or above.
Examines the art and architecture of Washington, D.C., and its major institutions. Emphasizes understanding the architecture and the art of the Capital City as expressions of the political, social and moral values of the nation and Western culture in general. Lectures and related class tours explore three major categories of Washington's visual environment; museum highlights; public sculpture; monuments and memorials; and architecture. Assignments encourage the study of various objects and sites from a critical perspective and give each student the opportunity to conduct primary research at select Washington Libraries and archives.