Educational Studies Major

Major Requirements

The major in Educational Studies provides carefully structured opportunities for students to engage in the study of education as an interdisciplinary field of social inquiry and advocacy. Through participation in thematically related courses, community engagement experiences, and completion of an integrative capstone seminar and reflective portfolio, students are supported in their preparation for exploring issues emerging from interactions among contemporary educational systems and broader social, cultural, political, and ethical contexts. Students are further encouraged to integrate their interests in education with continuing academic preparation in a supporting major, in addition to their evolving commitment to social advocacy in diverse forms and settings.

The major consists of thirty-two semester hours approved by the department chair. Students select from two broad emphases: Teaching & Learning or Education & Society, with specific curricular patterns described below. Educational Studies majors construct their own pathway through the major by choosing courses that address the following dimensions of the discipline:

Philosophy (3 courses); Policy (1 course); Sociocultural Theory (2 courses); Psychology (1 course); Curriculum & Instruction (1 course); History (1 course); Research Methods (1 course); Community Engagement (2 courses).

Teaching & Learning Emphasis

The major in Educational Studies emphasizing Teaching & Learning is designed to support students interested in building dynamic learning environments. As requirements vary by state, graduate program, and focus of teaching interests (age of student, subject matter), carefully tailored personalized advising is provided for students who intend to pursue a teaching license and/or masters degree in teaching upon graduation.

The Teaching & Learning pathway also provides excellent preparation for students intending to enter teaching through programs that do not require state licensing or graduate work such as Urban Teaching Fellows, World Teach, Peace Corps, Ameri-Corps, Teach for America, Montessori or Waldorf training, adult basic education or ESL, museum education, artists-in-residence, community education, etc.

Requirements are as follows:

Foundation Courses (16 credit hours):
EDUC 220 - Educational Psychology
EDUC 240 - Race, Culture, and Ethnicity in Education
EDUC 380 - Research Methods for Education and Advocacy
EDUC 390 - Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools

Elective Courses (12 credit hours):
Elective courses must align with the completion of requirements in the educational dimensions. Electives may be selected from courses offered by Educational Studies (including First Year Courses, internships and independent study) or from courses offered by other Macalester departments or study away programs that are centered in theory/research/practices relevant to education or youth development and approved by the department chair.

Capstone Experience (4 credit hours):
EDUC 460 - Education and Social Change

Reflective Portfolio:
Completion of an on-line portfolio documenting one’s intellectual and ethical path through the major and beyond.

Supporting Major:
Completion of a supporting major relevant to teaching focus.

Education & Society Emphasis

The major in Educational Studies emphasizing Education & Society provides opportunities for interdisciplinary explorations of pressing social and educational issues on local, national, and international levels. Education & Society majors can emphasize the following themes in their study: Education, Equity & Diversity, Education Policy & Reform, Youth Development, Urban Education, International/Development Education, Environmental Education, Civic Education, Aesthetic Education, Feminist & Critical Education, Media Literacy, and individually designed focal areas.

Requirements are as follows:

Foundation Courses (8 credit hours):
EDUC 220 - Educational Psychology
EDUC 380 - Research Methods for Education and Advocacy

Elective Courses (20 credit hours):
Elective courses must align with the completion of requirements in the educational dimensions. Electives may be selected from courses offered by Educational Studies (including First Year Courses, internships and independent study) or from courses offered by other Macalester departments or study away programs that are centered in theory/research/practices relevant to education or youth development and approved by the department chair.

Capstone Experience:
EDUC 460 - Education and Social Change

Reflective Portfolio:
Completion of an on-line portfolio documenting one’s intellectual and ethical path through the major and beyond.

Supporting Major:
Completion of a supporting major relevant to integrative theme.

Possible Elective Courses:
EDUC 240 - Race, Culture, and Ethnicity in Education
EDUC 250 - Building Trust: Education in Global Perspective
EDUC 260 - Critical Issues in Urban Education
EDUC 294 - Topics Course
EDUC 394 - Topics Course
EDUC 614 - Independent Project  (1-4 credits)
EDUC 624 - Internship  (1-4 credits)
POLI 315 - US Education Politics and Policy
PSYC 250 - Developmental Psychology