Anthropology of Education (342-0-1)

Instructors

Doris S. Warriner

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-440: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

What kinds of knowledge(s) count? Who decides? When and where does learning happen? What cultural, social, relational, embodied processes are involved? When and why do schools reinforce or naturalize inequality? When and how might they disrupt the status quo? These are some of the many questions explored in this course, which introduces and operationalizes understandings, perspectives, and methods foundational to educational anthropology (the study of educational practice in cultural context). Through readings, discussions, and writing assignments, students reflect critically on important questions about agency, equity, pluralism, self-determination, and (in)equality around the world and in diverse sites of education. By exploring what takes place in formal and informal learning contexts, especially in relation to questions of power and privilege, we interrogate what education is and what it could be.

Students will be provided multiple avenues for engaging with the material and demonstrating their understanding. Major assignments include weekly readings, regular discussion forum posts, a student-led facilitation of readings, and a research paper on an area of particular interest. There are no prerequisites for the course, and no prior knowledge of anthropology or education is required. Students from all majors and schools are welcome.

Learning Objectives

One objective of the course is to understand how educational anthropologists use theory and build their conceptual frameworks in the process of inquiry and interpretation. A second objective is to understand the role of anthropological approaches to inquiry in knowledge production. A third objective is to adopt the mindset of an educational anthropologist to pursue a research project related to one's interests.

Class Materials (Required)

Demerath, P. (2009). Producing success: The culture of personal advancement in an American high school. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
ISBN: 9780226142418 (paperback)
ISBN: 9780226142425 (PDF)

Class Materials (Suggested)

All other readings will be made available via Canvas.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Anthropology majors and minors until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites. ANTIREQ: Students cannot take and receive credit for more than one completion of SESP 342-0, SESP 351-0 "Anthropology of Education," or ANTHRO 390-0 "Anthropology of Education."