Education Studies 117 - Teaching, Learning, and Educational Equity

The educational experiences of modern American students can vary drastically according to their identities and backgrounds. Such a reality problematizes a “one size fits all” model of education and necessitates that students and teachers alike gain a more nuanced and actionable understanding of the interplay between identity, background, and schooling. In this course, we will examine how demographic characteristics such as race/ethnicity, cultural and linguistic background, gender, socioeconomic status, and exceptionality can manifest and intersect to impact students’ educational experiences. While these characteristics undoubtedly impact all aspects of a student’s education, this course will focus specifically on three domains that have seen or are experiencing marked conceptual or theoretical shifts in the incorporation of students from diverse backgrounds: gifted education, STEM education, and language education. Students in this course will engage with literature in these domains to confront deficit-based mindsets and approaches to schooling and replace them with asset-based perspectives that honor students’ identities and backgrounds in the learning process. Students will also engage in critical reflection on their own educational experiences and utilize newfound perspectives to interrogate their own and the collective American mindset towards educating members of diverse populations. Assignments will include discussion, written expression, group/project work, and presentations, with the opportunity to tailor application of course topics to students’ interests and goals.

Limited to 20 students. Fall 2025. Prof. Hemmler

How to handle overenrollment: Priority given to EDST majors and then first-year students and then sophomores

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Reading scholarly literature, writing, reflection, participation in discussion and group/project work, presentations