Course Descriptions
(titles in red indicate EDEF Masters Program requirements)
EDEF 310 Education in American Society (3) Interrelated historical, philosophical, and socio-cultural contexts of education with an emphasis on contemporary problems and applications.
EDEF 360 Introduction to Multicultural Education (3) Concepts and methods to develop sensitivity and awareness of cultural influences on behavior as these relate to the schooling process. Field experience is an integral part of the course. (Cross-listed as EDCI 360)
EDEF 408 Community and Culture (3) Theoretical and practical approaches to understanding the constitution of community life. A focus on the social construction of normative values, social dynamics of organizations, and school-community relations.
EDEF 445 Educational Sociology (3) Introduction to sociological frameworks of analysis about the institutional, cultural, and social dynamics of schooling, classroom management, school reform, social group and individual role behavior.
EDEF 469 Field Studies in Educational Foundations (V) Field-based analyses of educational problems and issues. Repeatable with different content. Consent of instructor.
EDEF 470 Ethnic Groups and Education in Hawai‘i (3) Identity and learning within and among Hawai‘i ethnic groups; study of prejudice and inter-ethnic hostilities as these impact education and teaching. (Cross-listed as EDCG 470)
EDEF 480 Anthropological Applications (3) Education as cultural and cross-cultural learning; universal aspects of the process. Ethnographic study. Applied anthropological theory and practice for educators. (Cross-listed as ANTH 480D)
EDEF 500 Master’s Plan B/C Studies (1 )
EDEF 581(Alpha) Practicum in Problems: School and Community (1)
EDEF 610 Foundations of Educational Theory (3) An in-depth review of social, philosophical, and historical views underlying various theories of education and their applications to teaching and learning.
EDEF 630 Cultural Diversity and Education (3) Examines issues, theories, perspectives, and practices in multicultural education and promotes awareness, encourages knowledgeable reflection and develops skills necessary for multicultural practioners. (Cross-listed with TECS)
EDEF 650 Education in the Classical Tradition (3) Classical European, Chinese, Indic, and Islamic traditions in the history of education; emphasis on ways in which they shift, interact, and collide from the early modern period to the present.
EDEF 651 Education and the American Experience (3) The history of educational thought and practice from European colonialism to revolutionary nationalism to the present.
EDEF 652 History of Education in Hawai‘i (3) From pre-contact, ancient Hawai‘i to the present. Social and intellectual influences on the development of national, local, and indigenous educational institutions; emphasis on multicultural as well as monocultural directions in Hawai‘i’s schools.
EDEF 660 Philosophy of Education (3) Readings of the original texts of major philosophers of education impacting American education. Considerations about the conditions of knowing and their extension in everyday practices in education.
EDEF 669 Introduction to Comparative/International Education (3) Introduction to basic methods of comparative studies, focusing on schooling, but also treating broader educational issues.
EDEF 671 Topics in Comparative Education (3) Educational institutions, structures, processes, policies, and problems viewed within the context of political, social, and cultural milieus. Geographic region or theme focus. Repeatable with different content. Pre: consent.
EDEF 675 Introduction to Educational Policy Studies (3) Examines theories and models of educational policy and policy-making and the contribution of policy analysis to the policy-making and change process. Pre: consent. (Cross-listed as EDEA 675)
EDEF 676 The Politics of Education (3) Examination of the ways in which education can be viewed as political, arising from its connection to the larger political system including local, state, and federal governments. Pre: 675 or EDEA 675; or consent. (Cross-listed as EDEA 676)
EDEF 677 The Educational System (3) Examination of the structure and dynamics of educational system. Particular focus on how educational policy interacts with principles that explain educational system behavior. Pre: 675 or EDEA 675; or consent. (Cross-listed as EDEA 677)
EDEF 678 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Educational Inquiry (3) Examination of theoretical and methodological issues underlying applications of quantitative and qualitative techniques in educational research. Relationship between theory, practice and the researcher in the formation of knowledge.
EDEF 683 Social and Cultural Contexts of Education (3) Focuses on the interplay of class, race, gender and ethnicity in school and community settings. Social praxis, educational reform and policy are considered.
EDEF 684 Education & World Order (3) Global futurism focuses on major problems such as war prevention, ecological planning, and world poverty as a basis for developing transnational education. Pre: 310, 683, or consent.
EDEF 685 International Development Education (3) Introduction to international development education in Asian and Pacific nations. Students explore links between education and development. Emphasis is on cross-cultural perception of development.
EDEF 686 Environmental Education (3) Focus on environmental problems such as pollution, resource depletion, and overpopulation, to develop programs of relevant education. Uses action projects in schools and community.
EDEF 700 Thesis Research (V)
EDEF 725 Education and Social Change (3) Study of classical and contemporary theories of social change as these relate to school, profession of teaching, planning of change and social stability. Pre: consent.
EDEF 740 Internship/Field Project (V)
EDEF 751 Recent History of American Education (3) Contemporary American education in recent historical perspective; focuses on the educational changes brought about by WW II, the Cold War, civil rights and other social movements. Pre: consent.
EDEF 761 History of American Higher Education (3) Genesis and evolution of college and university from colonial America to present. Pre: consent.
EDEF 762 Seminar on the Social and Cultural Contexts of Education (3) Examination of social, political and cultural issues affecting educational policy with special emphasis on methods of inquiry and theoretical constructs. Pre: consent.
EDEF 764 Advanced Seminar in Philosophy of Education (3) Advanced studies in philosophical inquiry. Examination of philosophically based methods of analysis and interpretation and their influence in educational research and practice. Pre: consent.
EDEF 766 Seminar in History of Education (3) Aspects of the history of education. Application of historiography to educational problems and policy. Repeatable with different content. Pre: one of 650, 651, 652, or 761; or consent.
EDEF 771 Seminar in Comparative/International Education (3) Advanced reading, research and writing in selected topics dealing with comparative and international education, including such themes as policy studies, minority education and educational reform. Pre: consent.
EDEF 787 Topics in Educational Policy (alpha) (3) (NEW) Engages students in the analysis of an important policy issue (different every year) directly affecting teaching and management in educational settings, with a view towards generating and weighing policy initiatives. Pre: consent.
EDUC 800 Dissertation Research (V)