U8201+Civic+Support+and+Public+Education

Next Offered
Fall 2013

Professor
Lisa Belzberg (SIPA)

Syllabus
Note: Syllabus is from Spring 2012 and subject to change.

Course description
In this course, we will examine - through readings, class discussion and guest speakers - the role of the "public" in public education, offering a broad perspective of where public education lies in the consciousness of the American body politic and how politics, the media, the non-profit sector, foundations, parents, the unions and the business world perceive and impact public education. Following an examination of the historical development of public engagement and how it has transformed over time, we will discuss what civic involvement looks like today. Who are the participants and what are their roles? And, does civic involvement actually have an impact on school leadership and on students? We will attempt to answer the question: How can the broad civic community most effectively participate in the public school system in a manner that makes a difference on school improvement? Students will also explore their own experiences as members of the public --- incorporating all international students and their experiences --- for insight in answering these questions. Issues will be tackled while ever-mindful of the major contextual variables and outside players and their impact on the relationship between civic support and public education (Country by Country: Race, Class, Ethnicity, Media, Courts, Federal government, Non-Educator Superintendents).

Generally, the international makeup of the class makes it such that U.S. education is not the focus. Rather, the course, the readings, the discussions, the guest speakers, and the final presentations take on a global tone in their substance.

Review
Not available

Student contact information
Not available