20809215Education in a Pluralistic Society
Course Information
Description
Students will engage and explore diverse educations of people in the United States, and beyond, through the lenses of privilege, oppression, and opportunity. With self-analysis, reflection, historical investigation, contemporary school programming, schools and society, and communication skill building, students learn how to be culturally responsive to the contexts of communities.
Total Credits
3
Prior Learning Assessment
  • Transfer Credit (includes Certifications)
  • Experiential-Portfolio
Course Competencies
  1. Describe issues relating to the achievement gap and limitations of traditional educational practices
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Analyze the issue of the achievement gap
    Discuss the relationship between culture and educational achievement
    Relate your answers to your educational experience
    Interpret, analyze, and describe new insights

  2. Develop skills needed for communicating with diverse communities
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Describe the importance of preferred names
    Apply respectful and inclusive language
    Discuss improvements to teacher communication techniques
    Examine gender-neutral language, person-first language

  3. Explain the role of culture in shaping learning behaviors and cognitive development
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Apply knowledge of cognitive development and culturally responsive strategies
    Connect insights and thoughts to your personal education experience
    Interpret, analyze, and describe new insights about learning behaviors
    Describe the connections between cultural background and learning

  4. Apply cognitive development theories to classroom interactions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Describe personal experience as a learner
    Include correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage
    Include specific school experiences tied to educational philosophies
    Follow the prescribed format, meeting the criteria for all components of rubric

  5. Explain the ways cultural experiences influence brain development and learning
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Identify cultural factors that shape brain development
    Explain how neural pathways work
    Discuss the role of language, traditions, and social interactions
    Apply culturally informed neuroscience principles to classroom practices

  6. Analyze the cultural, religious, and spiritual perspectives of people from Indigenous and various faith-based communities
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Identify key beliefs, values, and traditions of Indigenous and faith-based communities
    Recognize the diversity within and across religious and Indigenous groups
    Reflect on personal assumptions and biases related to religion and spirituality
    Analyze how school policies and practices can support or marginalize students from these backgrounds

  7. Determine effective strategies for becoming a culturally responsive practitioner
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Identify key characteristics and behaviors of culturally responsive educators
    Analyze the effectiveness of culturally responsive practices within the classroom
    Evaluate techniques to work with diverse groups
    Explore culturally responsive classroom decorations and examples

  8. Determine instructional practices that scaffold cognitive development and promote higher-order thinking skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Identify instructional strategies that support scaffolding and critical thinking
    Describe the role of questioning, feedback, and modeling in developing student cognition
    Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional practices in promoting student independence and problem-solving
    Design learning activities that build from foundational knowledge to complex reasoning