Schools and the American Dream

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce freshmen to an understanding of the dynamics of urban schools and social justice. Through an historical/social/political perspective students will gain an understanding of New Jersey’s urban education school systems. Education is complex and dynamic and shaped by structural and cultural features of our society. Actions of educators and educational systems are frequently constrained by political and economic conditions including and not limited to race, class, and gender inequalities. To understand urban schools, all these issues must be examined from the perspective of the schools, the community, the larger society, and the role of the state and federal governments.