Overview
Assignment 1
Throughout the history of the United States, scholars, politicians, economists, and community leaders have argued that social inequality is partially created and reinforced by our education system. It is a controversial topic, especially in light of the racial conversations, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the various systems being challenged today.
Although controversial and potentially uncomfortable, it's important that we actively engage in difficult discussions, as students within higher education and citizens of our nation.
For our assignment (due before midnight on Sunday), I want you to watch this short video about schools and social inequality and write a 1-2 page reflection on it. I've offered a few questions which gives you a format to follow, but it isn't necessary, so long as you put in obvious effort to respond to a challenging topic.
- Do you agree that schools create and reinforce social inequality? Why or why not.
- What are your thoughts about schools and social inequality? Is this topic being blown out of proportion?
- What - if anything - needs to change in our society to reduce social inequality through the school system?
Assignment 2
For your assignment this week, which is due before midnight on Sunday, I’m going to have you do a 3-2-1 assignment about achievement in the lives of adolescents (from pages 372-389), as well as the videos I posted in this week's Module Guide (I strongly recommend you watch all them if you have time...they are so good!). This 3-2-1 assignment should end up being about a page in length, and include the following:
- 3 most important ideas from the Achievement in the Lives of Adolescents section from Chapter 11 and why you have deemed them as such;
- 2 connections or insights you had as you read (this could be a connection from your own life, from something you have read, or information learned in another class); and
- 1 thing you would like to know more about.
I expected you to cite from the text and show page numbers to indicate where you found the info, for example: (page 380). You can also include reference to additional sources and the videos if you’d like.