H340: EDUCATION & AMERICAN CULTURE

The aim of this course is to enable prospective teachers to answer the question “Why are schools

the way they are?” and to understand that teaching is an activity that takes places within a

complex context. This understanding includes recognition that teaching has historical, social,

moral, and political dimensions. In addition, good teaching requires much more than technical

proficiency in the execution of prescribed classroom behaviors. It requires three additional

qualities—understanding, engagement, and judgment. These qualities cannot be demonstrated by

passive reproduction of others’ ideas, beliefs, or actions but must be revealed in thoughtful

reading, analysis, discussion and writing as students confront current educational issues and

difficulties inherent in teaching.