Educational Studies

Goals of the Major and Minor in Educational Studies

• Understand and apply disciplinary knowledge from the humanities and social sciences to interpret the meanings of education and schooling in diverse cultural contexts;

• Understand and apply multiple and conflicting perspectives on education and schooling;

• Understand how historical events, social forces, and moral principles related to democratic institutions can inform and direct schooling practice, leadership, and governance;

• Understand the full significance of diversity in a democratic society and how that bears on curriculum and instruction, school and community leadership, and state and national governance;

• Analyze critically both historical and current educational policies and practices at national, state, and local levels, and their impacts on teaching, learning, and the assessment of P-16 students.

• Prepare students who plan to enter graduate school in various education-related fields, such as school psychology, speech pathology, educational policy, education law, etc.

• Fulfill the needs of students who are interested in the academic study of educational history, sociology, psychology, theory, and policy.

Major Requirements (A.B. Degree)

Major requirements: The major requires 10 courses:

1. A course in each epistemological pillar (Historical & Philosophical; Learning and Development; Social & Cultural; Politics & Policy).
2. A methods course in the department.
3. Three courses in a specialization of choice.
4. An Experiential Learning course, EDU 400 or 401
5. EDU 495

Minor in Educational Studies

The minor requires students to complete six courses, as follows. 

• One course from the Historical & Philosophical Foundations category.
• One course from the Social & Cultural Studies category.
• One course from the Education Policy Studies category.
• Two courses from any of the above-listed categories and/or Related Courses category.
• EDU 400 Directed Field Placement (A) or (B)

Only one course from a student’s major may be applied toward the Minor in Educational Studies. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses applied toward the minor.

Teacher Education at Davidson College

The Department of Educational Studies has discontinued the teacher education program at Davidson College.  Students who desire to teach should consult with Educational Studies faculty about the various routes available to them, including alternate route certification programs, graduate school programs, and independent school teaching opportunities.

Goals for the Major and Minor in Educational Studies for students who desire to teach:

• Prepare students to enter teaching through MAT programs in which they earn a teaching license and a graduate degree.

• Prepare students to enter teaching through alternative entry programs such as Teach for America, Teach Charlotte, etc.

• Prepare students who plan to teach in private schools or to teach in other programs where licensure is not required, such as language programs abroad.

Curriculum