An introduction to urban education and contemporary urban life in the United States of America. Candidates will examine educational issues in urban communities and learn strategies for developing partnerships between home, school, and community.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate will participate in 4 Discussions throughout this course. In each discussion, the candidate will submit a thread of at least 300 words and at least 2 replies of at least 150 words each. If any sources are used within the initial thread or replies, the candidate must cite them in current APA format. (CLO: A, C, D)

Topic Analysis Paper Assignment

The candidate will write an essay of at least 500 words in which he/she will select one (1) urban education topic which he/she will use as the focus for the Course Project. After the candidate selects his/her topic, he/she will respond to questions regarding the importance, significance, and impact of the chosen topic, while also discussing how a biblical worldview relates to the chosen topic. The candidate will also provide a conclusion. This assignment requires citations from 5 sources (at least three of which three must be refereed scholarly journal articles) in current APA formatting. (CLO: A, B, D)

Course Project Assignments (3)

The course project consists of 3 parts which build upon each other. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Course Project: Journal Analysis Assignment

The candidate will write an 800–1,000-word essay in which he/she will compare 3 scholarly journal articles with different points of view on the same topic/issue he/she selected for the Topic Analysis Paper. The articles chosen must have been published within the last five years. The analysis must thoroughly interpret and examine the articles for perspective, validity, and significance of the findings. The candidate must support his/her discussion with relevant facts, arguments, examples, and details from his/her review of the articles. The analysis must be well-reasoned, indicating substantial breadth and depth of thinking, include at least 1 relevant Bible verse, and use current APA formatting. The paper must also include a clearly identified discussion section (using a Discussion heading) in which the candidate will describe the practical application to urban education at large.

Course Project: Media Analysis Assignment

The candidate will compare coverage of his/her selected urban education topic in 3–4 different types of sources (newspapers, magazines, academic journals, books, professional association websites). The candidate will determine what perspectives are present or absent and assess sources for bias. The analysis must thoroughly interpret and examine the media sources for perspective, validity, and significance of the findings. The candidate must support his/her discussion with relevant facts, arguments, examples, and details from his/her review of the sources. The analysis must be well-reasoned, indicating substantial breadth and depth of thinking. The candidate must identify relevant scriptural principles and perspectives from a biblical worldview, including at least 1 relevant Bible verse. The paper must also include a clearly identified discussion section (using a Discussion heading) in which the candidate will describe the practical application to the broader industry of urban education at large. This assignment must be 800–1,000 words and requires citations from 3-4 sources in current APA formatting. The entire paper should be formatted according to current APA style guide standards.

Course Project: PowerPoint Presentation Assignment

The candidate will create a PowerPoint Presentation that must include: (1) a brief outline of the topic and why it is relevant, (2) a description of the opportunities and challenges, (3) examples of where it is in use and experiences with it and/or possible applications for it, and (4) a conclusion highlighting the impact (positive and/or negative) this may have on urban education. Additionally, the candidate must type a script in the notes section to align with the PowerPoint for a 15-minute presentation. The sources previously used in Parts 1–2 must be incorporated at least 2 additional sources must be added. Citations should be included throughout the presentation and visible to the audience within the body of the slides. Current APA format should be used or citations and references. The assignment should be uploaded as a .ppt or .pptx file.

Journal Critique Assignments (2)

For each journal critique, the candidate will evaluate and critique one (1) research article from a professional journal. The journal can be from any discipline that addresses a topic in urban education specific to the module: week assigned or the candidate’s selected topic of interest directly related to urban education. All articles must be current (5 years or less). Each critique must be 225–250 words and consist of three 1-paragraph parts: Summary Paragraph, Analysis of Author’s Key Points, and Personal and Practical Response. Each journal critique will make use of current APA formatting. (CLO: A, B, C)