Race, Ethnicity, and Culture: Qualitative Inquiry in Urban Education

AMERICAN CULTURE STUDIES 452

This course examines educational institutions as spaces where children are asked to comply to norms, expectations and values of the culture of power. We will study how forces -- such as de facto segregation, the disproportionate hyper-disciplining of students, punitive school climates, and the de-valuing of certain forms of cultural and social capital -- can contribute to cycles of social reproduction among the marginalized. To address such challenges, this course introduces sociocultural theories and critical qualitative inquiry methods as mechanisms by which urban educational institutions can be positively transformed. Specifically, restorative practices, cogenerative dialogues and participatory/co-researcher models are explored as methods that honor the voices of marginalized stakeholders and lead to catalytic, transformational impact. Leaving this course, students will have an understanding of the inequitable terrain of urban education institutions as well as a repertoire of theories and methods to assist in conducting critically grounded, culturally responsive, humane and transformative research. In addition to lecture, readings, discussion, film, and actual classroom footage, students will conduct a school experience project to practice using the theories and methods introduced in class. Junior standing or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU BA; AS SSC; AS SD I; FA SSC; AR SSC

Section 01

Race, Ethnicity, and Culture: Qualitative Inquiry in Urban Education
INSTRUCTOR: Rowhea Elmesky