Issues in Education

Full Course Title: 
Issues in Education: Stories of Teachers and Students

What is the primary purpose of education? Is it to promote social justice, to maximize individual liberty, is it merely to create and disseminate knowledge, or are there other purposes? What is your purpose for being here? This course will invite students to engage in conversations about issues facing schools, teachers and students using works of literature to understand such lives. We'll think and talk about the purpose and goal of education, including our own reasons for earning a college degree. Through the reading of provocative texts and a few short films that showcase the experiences of college students, youth and children, we'll practice the habit of civil discourse and respectful argumentation around issues in education as we engage in service. The course will improve the student's ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize complex ideas in the context of current issues in education.

Course Details
Prefix: 
UCO
Course Number: 
1200
Section Number(s) and Day/Times Taught: 
123: T 5:00pm-7:30pm
Term: 
Fall 2024
Categories: 
Civic Engagement
Leadership
Student Success
Instructor(s)

Brian MacHarg

Brian MacHarg is the Director of Civic Engagement at Appalachian State. Prior to his work at ASU, he taught courses and directed service-learning at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. He is particularly interested in international connections to civic engagement and he has led student groups to serve in locations such as Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cuba, Ukraine, Rwanda and many others. He earned his PhD from Barry University in Miami where he focused on student motivations for engaging in international service-learning. When not working, he enjoys vegetarian cooking, disc golfing, and hanging out with his wife and many animal friends at home.