This course, Sociology of Education, fulfilled my Historical and Contemporary or Behavioral and Social Perspective, while also giving me valuable knowledge for my future career. Dr. Miln, the department chair of sociology, anthropology, and criminal justice, taught this course on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8am.
The course aimed to look at the public education system in the U.S., with regards to understanding teaching, how education relates to other institutions, the effects of demographics and social classes on education, roles in schools, and current issues in the educational system.
We did not have a course textbook. Each week, we had an average of three articles to read and answer questions about. The articles all related to what we talked about in class that week. Each day, we had a short assignment to do in class and turn in through Canvas. Throughout the semester, we had a few short papers to write as well.
This course was very informational for me, especially considering my future career will be working in the educational system. I learned quite a bit about educational laws, how schools are structured, and about many factors that can affect a student’s learning.
Dr. Miln had us work in groups and partners as well as individually. This, in addition to the variety of assignments, enabled us all to learn more than an average class. The course was kept interesting and fun, while also teaching the important facts and knowledge.
For our final exam, we all created our own school based on everything we had learned during the semester. Among other things, we had to decide where and when the school would meet; what subjects would be taught, and what the core classes would be; class sizes; administrative roles; how students would be assessed, if at all; different policies, including the discipline policy; how the funds would be allocated; what extra-curriculars would be supported; the physical structure of the school; how equal education would be provided; how we would address mental health; and how we would prevent violence and keep the school safe. This project was a lot of fun, and it gave me a chance to apply everything that I had been learning all semester. It also gave me the opportunity to learn about and understand what makes a school run smoothly and how schools are able to successfully operate in so many different ways. This is all information that I will take with me in my future as an educator.