EDUC 068. Urban Education

(Cross-listed as SOAN 020B)
Urban education is commonly and uncritically coded as the education of Black and Brown students. The first third of the course deconstructs what is meant by “urban education” by critically interrogating how changes in the urban political economy, and shifting demographics because of migration, white flight, and gentrification impact urban public schools. During the second part of the course, we will look at urban school reform issues including school closure, the marketization of education, and the school-to-prison nexus. For the last part of the course, we will look at issues relevant to educating diverse students including diversifying the teacher workforce, the role of teachers and principals in impacting change, and pedagogies of liberation. To get a deeper sense of context, we will frequently use Philadelphia as a case study for understanding issues concerning urban education.
Social sciences.
1 credit.
Eligible for BLST, LALS, ESCH, ASAM.
Fall 2026. Liu.
Catalog chapter: Educational Studies
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/educational-studies

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