EDFN 506 ASSIGNMENTS

Dr. Rosalind Latiner Raby

 Class Leadership

Article Critique

Position Paper

Readings

CLASS LEADERSHIP & PARTICIPATION - - 20 points

1. Each week, selected students will be chosen to be the class leaders. As a group, students will work together to lead a class discussion on assigned class readings for that week. Creativity is desired.

2. In addition to assigned class readings, each student will locate 1 additional article from a print or on-line academic journal that relates to the weekly theme and share that article with the class.

Leadership discussions include the following and should be about 30 minutes:

a) indicate common theme(s) and connections of assigned readings;

b) give your personal reaction to the readings;

c) compare readings in section;

d) indicate the general orientation or thesis of each reading student will:


ARTICLE CRITIQUE

Write a 3-5 page essay using a minimum of FOUR articles from the required reading list. Use a standard citation approach, including references and footnotes and/or a bibliography.

(1) DESCRIBE THEMES & TRENDS THAT WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED

I have already read the articles! Do not go into detail. Just tell me the most important THEMES and TRENDS.

(2) DEFINE AND USE TERMS

Use special terminology that is used in the article, or that is discussed in class

(3) SHOW CONNECTION TO TWO EDUCATIONAL PARADIGMS

A) Identify two theoretical paradigms

B) Outline the major dimensions of each paradigm and discuss how they are reflected in your chosen readings (either as a support or a critical element)

C) Explain how your chosen readings can be analyzed differently from the perspective of each paradigm

D) Mention people in the field (both from the reading list and/or outside readings) who have written from the perceptive of each theoretical paradigm.

(4) INTERRELATE ARTICLES

Don't just say: Article # 1 . . . # 2 . . . # . . . end.

Say: article # 1 has similarities/differences when compared with other articles. . .

OR

I am exploring X theme: this theme is found in article # 1 and # 3 but not in # 2.

OR

What information or ideas discussed in one article is/are also discussed in other articles? Are the discussions similar or different?

(5) PERSONALIZE

Show how you relate (or do not relate) to the articles via the use of personal examples, case studies, etc.

(6) CRITICAL ANALYSIS

MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT! BE CRITICAL! Analyze what you are reading. Do you approve/disapprove? like/dislike? ALWAYS ASK WHY ! Why did this happen? Why did the author mention this? List examples of bias or faulty reasoning.


POSITION PAPER

Position paper should be no more than 10 pages in length, including references, and is due on the final day of the semester. No late papers will be accepted. Students can choose any theme they want, but must discuss that theme in an international setting, i.e. via a country other than the United States. Use the following guidelines:

1) Short description of country: its cultural, economic, and political make-up;

2) Description of an educational issue in that country as it relates to your specific theme;

3) Use of a theoretical paradigm to analyze that issue

3) Connection of your educational issue to another country

4) Show how education in Southern California can benefit from international/ multicultural knowledge.

READINGS

You will need ACROBAT READER to view these articles:

Cummings
Edmund King
Eggertsen & Selby
Hawkins & Rust
Joseph Farrell
Ninnes
Robert Arnove 2002
Rolland Paulston
Stromquist 1996
Stromquist 2001