Curriculum & Instruction: Curriculum Theory (OL1)

About EDCI 6008 OL1

Explores curriculum theory from a practitioner-oriented perspective and critical stance. Investigates how dominant social, political, and economic ideologies influence teaching and learning priorities. Aims to unsettle dominant curricular imaginaries to inquire about what else curriculum might be and become. Engage curriculum theories practiced and posed by educators, policy makers, scholars, school leaders, and youth leaders.

Notes

Online synchronous. Open to degree and PACE students

Section Description

Curriculum refers to the substance of what educators teach and what students learn in educational settings. This course explores curriculum theory from a practitioner-oriented perspective and critical stance. In doing so, we will ask how dominant social, political, and economic ideologies influence teaching and learning priorities. Furthermore, the course aims to unsettle dominant curricular imaginaries to inquire about what else curriculum might be and become. Our class community will engage curriculum theories practiced and posed by educators, policy makers, scholars, school leaders, and youth leaders. We will participate through forum discussions, multimedia-based projects, written assignments, and presentations as a means of understanding, questioning, rethinking, and applying knowledge in this area. Throughout out the semester, we will explore the following major questions: What is curriculum? Whose knowledge shapes curricular forms and practices? How do various stakeholders contribute to the development of curricular form(s) and practices? How are various stakeholders unsettling ways of knowing, being, and doing through curriculum studies and practices? What should students learn? What should educators teach? In completing this course, you will be able to: (1) Outline the cartographies of curriculum studies as part of social-justice oriented scholarship and professional practice; (2) Become familiar with curricular questions, practices, and ellipses relevant to collaborating with and learning with/from historically marginalized communities; (3) Read, Analyze, and Write critically in response to weekly questions, assigned readings, class tasks, and course assignments; (4) Understand the importance of critical curriculum studies as a way to disrupt dominant forms of knowledge and associated normative practices; (5) Evaluate, Discuss, and Present current issues in curriculum studies for a wider audience of peers; and (6) Make visible the politics of knowledge making about teaching and learning to stimulate shifts in practice; and (7) Create a curricular unit or professional development series for future implementation.

Section Expectation

This course emphasizes a blended approach to learning and teaching as supported by weekly course readings and assignments, video/audio technology, multimedia resources, relationship and context building, participatory activities, and forum discussion. In this course, we will engage disciplinary and interdisciplinary texts to discuss, analyze, critique, and rethink curriculum theory. This course is offered as a synchronous online course. This course combines lecture, discussion, and workshop formats. Students should expect to spend at least 8-10 hours a week on coursework outside of class, with additional time for major assignments. Assignments and course paper/projects should be completed via Brightspace according to the tentative course schedule. It is highly recommended that you regularly review your e-mail, the tentative course schedule in our syllabus, and Brightspace to support your navigation to and completion of weekly assignments and course paper/projects.

Evaluation

Grades are based on attendance and participation, discussion forums, a multimedia introduction assignment, a current issues curriculum paper and presentation (midterm), and a curricular design project built through a series of workshops and reflective papers (final).

Important Dates

Note: These dates may change before registration begins.

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

Resources

• Parking
• PACE Course Pricing
• Textbooks