In this course, students will use course texts and classroom discussions to explore the how schools have been integral to teaching what the role and responsibilities of citizens in a US-style democracy, as well as how schools also reveal the boundaries of this form of citizenship. The course will start from the formation of the common schools in the US and span the twentieth century, and will feature readings that employ a transnational lens.

Parenting has a huge impact on the development of children and youth. New knowledge in this field is full of surprising discoveries. Students will gain a deep understanding of diverse parenting contexts through the lens of psychological and developmental theories, while examining relevant research and policy. The course also emphasizes practical skills, preparing students to support parents to optimize the development of their children.

Data skills are essential in a world driven by evidence-based decisions. In this course, we¿ll explore how to transform data into meaningful insights for research and decision-making. Through hands-on practice with R programming, you¿ll develop skills in data wrangling, visualization, and analysis. Together, we¿ll examine how to critically evaluate data products, create compelling visualizations, and use evidence to address real-world challenges.

We explore the rapidly evolving intersection of AI and education and ask one of the most pressing questions of our time: Will AI make us better learners and stronger citizens, or will it erode our ability to engage in deep learning? Hear directly from guest innovators, educators, and researchers in these areas. Explore how AI works, its promises and risks, and develop your own ideas for how it should shape the future of education.

This course builds on the skills students develop through the Civic Cornerstone Fellowship and applies them to local civic issues. Students will develop their ability to understand myriad perspectives on political dilemmas and enhance their capacity to work across ideological differences to construct solutions to these challenges. The semester will culminate in student-led collaboration on a proposed policy, program, or creative project.

Study abroad courses in the School of Education and Human Development Department of Leadership, Foundations, and Policy.

Independent Study

Directed Research under supervision of faculty member.

Introduction to how research in developmental science intersects with applied work with children and youth. Students will learn foundational principles of development, examine how they apply to contemporary issues (e.g., disparities in educational opportunities), and highlight challenges present in the field. Students will also learn about programs and services designed to address these issues for children, youth, and families.

This course will examine the foundations of educational policy from critical theoretical perspectives rooted in the social sciences and humanities in a graduate level seminar intended for both disciplinary students and students pursuing specialized work in educational studies. The goal of the course is to examine from a variety of critical perspectives, the core issues that underlie contemporary debates over public and educational policy.