Anthropology's unique contribution to the study of human life centers around the concept of culture and the methodology of ethnography. In the course of the semester, we will examine the relationship between culture and education and the ways in which the study and understanding of education can be enhanced by attention to culture. Using cases drawn from studies of learning and schooling in cultures around the world as well as among minority cultures and societies in the United States , students will be challenged to begin to see education through cultural comparative frames of reference.

This course is designed to introduce the quantitative and qualitative social science research process to students, as well as to help familiarize students with some of the more popular forms of assessment within the fields of higher education, student affairs, and athletic administration.

What does it mean to educate in and for a multicultural society? This course offers a global comparative view of education in multicultural societies around the world. We will explore how different societies' experiences with multiculturalism have lead to a variety of challenges for educational systems globally. What are these challenges and what are some potentially promising approaches?

Through research based practices and theoretical framing, students learn to build schools' professional capacity through recruitment, interviewing, induction, professional development, evaluation, and compensation. The process is considered in school and policy contexts with attention to ethical and diversity considerations. Students develop actionable plans for employing, supporting, and retaining professional capacity as a leader.

This course covers the basic principles of engaging families and the community in the life of a school, a fundamental responsibility of school leaders. Topics include communication with the school community and families, community partnerships, crisis communications, and research-based engagement practices. This course will provide tools and resources for building positive relationships with staff, parents, and the community at large.

This course explores the principal¿s pivotal role in organizational operations and change, focusing on how school leaders shape climate, foster internal professional accountability, and respond to the demands of external accountability. Students examine schools as complex organizations, analyze leadership routines and tools, and apply improvement science to address a real-world problem of practice.

This course explores school finance principles and challenges, emphasizing budgeting activities like planning, data collection, development, communication, implementation, and monitoring. Topics include resource allocation, accounting, business management, organizational behavior, and data management. Students apply concepts and engage in discussions.

This course explores laws and policies that shape U.S. public school teaching and learning environments, covering Supreme Court cases and federal legislation. The course introduces legal principles and guidelines for fulfilling leadership duties and protecting the respective rights of student and teacher. Students will be prepared to make fair and ethical decisions, enhancing educational opportunities for all students.

This course gives students conceptual and philosophical frameworks for leading good instruction and creating conditions for teaching and learning in schools and districts. Students reflect on their own instructional filters and deepen understanding of what we know about effective teaching and learning. Considering various instructional issues, students learn to supervise and evaluate instruction, connecting supervision with professional growth.

This course equips educators with tools to lead continuous improvement aimed at advancing the academic success, engagement, and belonging of all children. Grounded in improvement science, the course introduces tools for systemic change and includes field-based application in P-12 teaching and leadership.