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EDC 210--Diversity in the Schools

  2 semester credit course, Fall 2022
Tuesdays, 1:50-3:30 PM, Meeting in Sverdrup Hall, Room 202.



Instructor: Joseph A. Erickson, Ph.D. 
Office: Sverdrup Hall, Room 3C (lower level of Sverdrup Hall)
Communications: (612) 216-8622 (talk/text) | (email)
Course web site: Log into <http://augnet.augsburg.edu> then click on --> Moodle link
Office hours:

Mondays 3:30-4:30 P.M. and Graduate School Fridays, 2:30-4:30 P.M. Please click here to --> schedule a meeting with me.

Augsburg University Education Department Mission Statement: The mission of the Augsburg Education Department is to develop knowledgeable, responsive teachers committed to educating all learners in a diverse and changing world. Responsive, knowledgeable teachers understand the dynamic interaction among relationships, reflection and inquiry, diversity and equity, and leadership.

Course Objectives and Orientation:

This course will survey the major social and psychological processes involved in diversity, human relations, and how these processes impact teaching, learning, and other human interactions. The course will cover the major diversity theories as well as use an experiential model for making the theoretical knowledge relevant in the individual teacher's life.
Knowledge of: Skills in: Professional attitudes related to:
human relations and diversity theory producing instructional materials appreciating differentiated learning approaches
history and impact of diversity utilizing instructional media materials developing a belief that all students can learn
media impact on stereotypes teaching more effectively in diverse settings developing a foundation for research-based practice
conflict and conflict resolution managing conflict awareness of one's biases and prejudices
change agent theory    

It is common for learners in this course, especially white people, to become frustrated while engaged in activities during this course. It is difficult for anyone to face aspects of their culture and/or personality which might be considered unpleasant or unpopular. Do not be alarmed if this happens to you! Your frustration and discomfort is a valuable learning tool--work through your frustration as your students will do when you are in the classroom teaching difficult and challenging topics.

Instructional methods will include: lecture, discussion, writing, cooperative activities, media showings, and video documentary work. Each activity is planned with an appreciation for
learning preferences based on temperament, gender, and cultural/ethnic differences.

Required Reading:

Program Portfolio: A standards-based portfolio is required in EDC 490/580 (elementary and secondary). This portfolio draws on all the courses in the program. The standards attached to this course are presented below. You will also find linkages between the standards and the assignments for this course. We recommend that you save syllabi and assignments from your courses to use when preparing your portfolio. 

EDC 210 Course Objectives and Assignments Aligned with Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice

Attendance Policy:

Many of the class activities and films cannot be made up, therefore regular class attendance is expected. You may be absent from only one class period without penalty. For each class period missed beyond that 0.5 grade points (4.0 = A, 3.0 = B, etc.) will be subtracted from your course grade. If you must miss a class meeting, please speak with the instructor ahead of time. Students may, with the permission of the instructor, make-up unavoidable absences (e.g., illness or family emergency) by engaging in equivalent learning activities which they must document for the instructor. Other avoidable absences may not be made-up.

Whatever documentation you propose to make up an absence, it should be prepared in such a way as to highlight your careful understanding, reflection, analysis, and evaluation of the concepts discussed in the class, not simply copying what was said or shared in class. Don't summarize...analyze.

Academic Honesty Policy:

The Augsburg University policies on academic honesty apply to this course. Unless otherwise stated, the assignments you hand-in are assumed to be your own individual work. Please refer to the Augsburg Student Guide's section on Academic Honesty Policies for details.

Grading Procedure:

Student performance will be evaluated on a 4.0-0.0 scale. Self-evaluation and instructor evaluation will be used to document progress towards course outcomes. Students are responsible for reading all assignments thoroughly. The assignments in this course are evaluated based on the standards and formats described in these documents. Keep in mind that while some of the activities are not due until the end of the course, you may wish to begin them now to avoid a rush of work at the end of the term.


There are a total of 100 points available in this course. Your grade in this course is composed of several elements:

  1. Course Readings and Lectures (up to 35 points):
  2. Learning Analysis Journals: Students will reflect on what they learn and how they feel in a written document called the Learning Analysis Journal. One's entries in the journal must be typed and display college-level writing skills to be acceptable. These journals are not only personal reflections, but also should reflect careful scholarly reflection on the important ideas and controversies discussed in this course. Example journals will be provided on request. The journal will be assessed twice during the term and may be worth up to 25 points.

  3. Small Group Video Documentary: -ISM (N.) Project: (Portfolio Assignment*) Teams of 3-4 students will produce brief (3-8 minute) video documentaries illustrating an "-ism" (racism, sexism, ageism, etc.) and a well-researched approach to how you will discuss and/or solve this issue in your classrooms. These videos will be planned, recorded, edited and screened during the course. They will be assessed both on content (what is portrayed and to what degree the content displays a complex understanding of course theories/insights) and on form (technical skill with video and audio equipment).

    The -ISM (N.) group project works at several different levels: at the overt level, you and your partners make a video about an "-ism," but at a deeper level, the group itself is a learning tool. By struggling with the intentionally vague demands of the task (no one forced you to decide on what topic you focused, who was in the group, who did what task, etc.) you should uncover knowledge about how groups work and what groups skills you possess. You are living diversity, not just reading about it!

    Please refer to the web page "
    Planning Makes Perfect: How to Plan Your -ISM (N.) Video" for more information on how to make your video and how the video will be evaluated. Evidence of project pre-planning, including the development of a storyboard for your video, are required for a project grade above 20 points. An example storyboard is shown on the " Planning Makes Perfect" web page. The storyboard is due at least two weeks before the video itself is due. A sample video may be viewed here. (Download a copy of the scoring rubric here-->
    -ISM Video Scoring Rubric).
    The -ism group members will complete the rubric and hand in to the instructor on the day the video is presented. Excellent videos may be worth up to 30 points.

  4. Learning Logs: Each Friday you will complete a log of your time spent on the activities for this class (i.e., how much time you read an assignment, worked on your -ISM Video, etc.) and a brief reflection on your efforts A format has been developed for this task and may be found at this link. This task will assist you in developing self-awareness of your own learning behavior and may motivate you to keep up with assignments (worth up to 10 points).

  5. Class Participation: Quality class participation is crucial to the success of this course. If you are sensitive, earnest, enthusiastic and informed during in-class and online discussions, you will contribute to a productive learning community. Attendance and promptness counts--one must be in class and on time in order to participate! You may be absent from only one class period without penalty. For each class period missed beyond that, 0.5 will be subtracted from your course grade.. If you must miss a class meeting, please speak with the instructor ahead of time.

    Professional behavior is expected from participants in this course. Students are accountable for all instructions posted to this web site and should familiarize themselves with all expectations and deadlines outlined here. Direct any inquiries to the course instructor. Also, students should dress professionally (no caps, pajamas, or athletic uniforms in class please!) and be sure to de-activate wireless communications devices prior to the beginning of class.

* Portfolio Assignment: It is highly recommended that you put this assignment in your program portfolio.

Those students who earn 95-100 points on the exam and other assignments will receive an A for the course. Similarly: A- = 92-94, B+ = 90-91, B = 85-89, B- = 83-84, C+ = 80-82, C = 75-79, C- = 73-74, D+ = 70-72, D = 65-69, D- = 60-64, and F = 0-59. Students registered at the graduate level must earn a C+ or above to apply this course towards licensure. Students registered at the undergraduate level must earn a grade of C- to apply this course towards licensure. Students registered for the undergraduate version of this course are graded using the undergraduate grading scale and students registered for the graduate version are graded using the graduate grading scale.

EDC 210 Grade Tally Worksheet:

Electronic Document Submission:

Documents in this class are submitted digitally via GoogleDrive. The documents should be converted to GoogleDocs format (not MS Word format) and include all of the items physical paper assignments would include such as your name and the title of the assignment. Make sure to include all relevant identifying information. Make sure to add the instructor as an editor (username: erickson@augsburg.edu) so I am able to comment on your assignment online.

Also make sure to save the file with your name and the name of the assignment in the file's name, e.g., "Your Name - Assignment Name." If you have any questions, please speak with the instructor.
Documents not following this protocol will be returned. Further instructions are found on the course moodle site.

Late Work Policy:

Course assignments must be handed-in on time. On time means the assignment is handed-in (i.e., shared digitally) by the beginning of the class meeting indicated on the course calendar--not later that day. Late assignments cannot be re-done. Habitual late work will impact your class participation (see above). Any other arrangements must be negotiated with the instructor before the due date/time.

Academic Alerts:

Augsburg University makes student success a priority. As a result, this course is participating in the Academic Alert initiative. As the instructor of this course, I may choose to refer you to your faculty adviser or other campus resources via the Academic Alert process if it is apparent that you are struggling with issues such as attendance, class participation/preparedness, and/or assignment/test preparation.

Academic Alert messages are sent via e-mail to your Augsburg e-mail address. Additionally, alert messages are copied to your faculty adviser and other campus resources. Your adviser may choose to contact you to discuss ways to improve your performance in these areas. You may also be contacted by campus resources regarding your situation. Referrals and departmental outreach are designed to maximize your chances of academic success at Augsburg, not as a punishment.     

Disability Accommodations and Accessibility and Other Student Rights:

Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the CLASS Office at 612-330-1053 or stop by the Gage Center welcome desk on the link level of the Lindell Library as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. All students have the right to use the Augsburg University Counseling Center and Student Development staff services, as well as to receive tutoring assistance from the Writing Lab. This class affirms individuals of all gender identities and gender expressions. Students are expected to show respect to others, including referring to others using their preferred names and pronouns. 




Pre-Course Schedule (this schedule may change due to media availability and other considerations):

Unit I. Orientation and Expectations

Objectives:
1. To orient the student to the areas of human relations study and diversity in American education
2. To provide an overview of this course in human relations: expectations and controversies
3. To review and discuss the history of diversity in schools and to define some important terms and concepts
Date Topic(s)

Before First Class Meeting: Click here to read David Brooks's New York Times opinion article --> Our current model of social change isn’t working. This article discusses the social scientific orientation we take in this class. Please read it before our first class meeting and during class, we will discuss it in order that you can prepare yourself to benefit from the activities in which we'll be engaging in this class. Note: An alternate link for this article is available on the Moodle site. Use it instead of this one if you have any difficulty accessing the article.

Also, please review the course syllabus and carefully examine our moodle site. Write down any questions you have (or post them to our Q and A Discussion Forum in moodle) so we can discuss them at our first class meeting. 
Sept. 6     Topic: What is (and isn't) diversity and human relations?   
Activities and assignments due:
•
Quiz on the course syllabus administered
• Review course resources, assignments, expectations, and deadlines
• Media: Murrow Report: "Kids Deal With Race"
 
(Note: the videos listed in the "Activities and assignments due" section here and below will be shown in class. You do not need to view them outside of class unless you miss class and have to make-up that activity.)
Sept. 13  
Activities and assignments due:
• Media: "
What is Race?"

Sept. 20  _Topic: History of diversity in American education   
Activities and assignments due:
• Media: "The Road to Brown"

Sept. 27
Activities and assignments due:
• Beals or McGhee book responses due
(shared via GoogleDrive. See instructions for how to upload documents to GoogleDrive on the course moodle site.)
•
Link to: Review Questions for Beals | Fadiman | Chabris and Simons | Chatterton Williams | DiAngelo | McGhee | Loewen books
• Media: "Burt Williams and the Story of Jim Crow"


Unit II. Cognition and Information Processing

Objectives:
1. To understand social cognition, attribution, and information processing theories
2. To understand the relevance and application of these theories to diversity and education
Oct. 4
Oct. 4    Topic: Social Perception and Contact Theory

            Activities and assignments due:
            • Please have available a computer, tablet and/or smartphone for an in-class activity today._           
            •
Read Steele, Introduction and Chs. 1-4
            • Media: "A Friendly Game"

            •
*
_Notes/overheads from lecture/discussion on "Social Perception and Contact Theory."
Oct. 11 
Activities and assignments due:
• Read: Feldman Barrett, L. and Wormwood, J. (2015, April 19). When a gun is not a gun. The New York Times.

• Media: "Stereotypes in Television"

Oct. 18 __Topic: Expectations and Interpreting Information   
Activities and assignments due:
•
Read: Bennett, D. (2014, November 5). How to help take control of your brain and make better decisions. The Washington Post.
• Learning Analysis Journal, Section I due (shared via GoogleDrive)
• Read Steele, Chs. 5-8
Oct. 25     

Activities and assignments due:
•
Please complete the Mid-term Student Questionnaire Activity It is not required but requested.
• Media: "Productivity and the Self-fulfilling Prophesy"

Nov. 1    
Activities and assignments due:
• Fadiman or
Chatterton Williams book responses due (shared via GoogleDrive)
• Link to: Review Questions for Beals | Fadiman | Chabris and Simons | Chatterton Williams | DiAngelo | McGhee | Loewen books
• -ISM (N.) Video Project Screening(s)
•
-ISM Video Scoring Rubric The -ism group members will complete the rubric and hand in to the instructor on the day the video is presented.
Unit III. Personality Development and the Self
Objectives:
1. To understand the major social psychological theories of the self
2. To understand the parts of the self such as gender and sex roles and other group roles
3. To investigate your own experience of development and your attitudes toward self and diversity
Nov. 8   No class meeting due to the Election Day holiday
              

            • Course Exam Study Guide and Course Definitions (Download this document and use it to prepare for the upcoming course exam. Exam in three weeks.)


 Online Assignment - Forum Responses Due by 10:00 am on Fri., Nov. 11th  

This activity can be done anytime during the semester, but the responses to the questions need to be posted to the appropriate online forum by the posted due date.
Activities and assignments due:
• Media: Watch "Beyond the White Male Club"
(streaming link from the course moodle site)
• Then respond to the questions in the online moodle forum labeled "Beyond the White Male Club."



Nov. 15
___Topic: The Social Self ____________
Activities and assignments due:
• Please bring current popular magazines to class next week
•
Read Steele, Chs. 9-11
• -ISM (N.) Video Project Screening(s)
• -ISM Video Scoring Rubric The -ism group members will complete the rubric and hand in to the instructor on the day the video is presented.

•
Course Exam Study Guide and Course Definitions (Download this document and use it to prepare for the upcoming course exam. Exam in two weeks.)
• *  Notes/overheads from lecture/discussion on "The Self."
Nov. 22      Topic: Gender
Activities and assignments due:
• Please bring current popular magazines to class this week.
_ _
• 
Media: "Still Killing Us Softly 4"
•
Chabris and Simon or DiAngelo book responses due (shared via GoogleDrive)

•
Link to: Review Questions for Beals | Fadiman | Chabris and Simons | Chatterton Williams | DiAngelo | McGhee | Loewen books
• -ISM (N.) Video Project Screening(s)
• -ISM Video Scoring Rubric The -ism group members will complete the rubric and hand in to the instructor on the day the video is presented.

 •
Course Exam Study Guide and Course Definitions (Download this document and use it to prepare for the upcoming course exam. Exam
next week.)


    Thanksgiving Break, November 24-25, 2022


Unit IV. Educational Applications
Objectives:
1. To understand Robert Terry's Diamond Model and several models of conflict resolution
2. To discover your own conflict and change agent styles and to practice conflict management skills
3. To review the major reasons why diversity is important for education and educational leaders
   ____
Nov. 29     Topics: Conflict and Conflict Resolution
_______    Change Agent Theory: How do you make an impact in your classroom?

Activities and assignments due:
•
Comprehensive Course Exam (on Steele book and course lectures) administered today-- Please refer to our moodle site for the link to the exam. 
• Loewen book responses due (shared via GoogleDrive)
• Link to: Review Questions for Beals | Fadiman | Chabris and Simons | Chatterton Williams | DiAngelo | McGhee | Loewen books
• Learning Analysis Journal, Section II due (shared via GoogleDrive)

• -ISM (N.) Video Project Screening(s)
• -ISM Video Scoring Rubric The -ism group members will complete the rubric and hand in to the instructor on the day the video is presented.
Dec. 6
• -ISM (N.) Video Project Screening(s) (extra--if necessary)
• -ISM Video Scoring Rubric The -ism group members will complete the rubric and hand in to the instructor on the day the video is presented.
• *  Notes/overheads from lecture/discussion on "Teaching Strategies and Personal Strategies to Utilize Diversity in Your Classroom."

Final exam period meeting will be necessary only if all -ISM Videos have not been completed. If we will be meeting during the final exam period, it will be announced in class.

(All assignments not previously handed-in must be delivered to the instructor no later than 4:00 P.M. on the Tuesday following the final day of classes. Any diversion from this deadline must be pre-arranged.)

-ISM (N.) Video Project Dues Dates (One or Two Groups Per Week):

-ISM (N.) Group Topic Storyboard Due (approx. 2 weeks prior to video date) Video Due
1. Oct. 18 Nov. 1
2. Nov. 1
Nov. 15
3. Nov. 8
Nov. 22
4. Nov. 15 Nov. 29
5.
Nov. 22 (extra...if necessary)
Dec. 6 (extra...if necessary)



"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetuate it." ML King, Jr.

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