Working Within Diverse Communities

EDUC 446

Summer 2015

From the syllabus:

Course Description

This blended learning course provides MA candidates with opportunities to develop their understandings of the interactions among biological, psychological, and social dynamics in diverse families and communities. Candidates will examine the impact of these interactions on student learning, support, and well-being. The course encourages candidates to identify and build on the funds of knowledge in families and communities, and to establish connections with support systems for students within the school, district, county, and the local community. 

Course Objectives

MA candidates will know how to:

1.  Understand the interactions among biological [brain, body], psychological [symbolic, dynamic], and social [social construction, environmental construction] family dynamics and their impact on learning.

2.  Identify and establish connections with support systems (school-linked services) for students within the school, district, county, and the local community.

3.  Develop effective community partnerships that support student learning.

4.  Create an empowering family involvement model that understands and values students’ funds of knowledge.