Educational Studies

The Educational Studies focus area takes a critical foundations approach to understanding educational issues and practices by drawing on a range of theories and methods from history, sociology, cultural studies, economics, political science, philosophy, and psychology. This approach provides a critical, integrated understanding of the relationships between instructors, students, educational organization(s), and society.

This focus of study will be of interest to teachers and other school professionals (administrators, counsellors, and psychologists), as well as those who wish to develop a greater understanding of the forces that shape and influence public policy and practice.

Educational studies is flexible and allows students to configure courses to address individual interests. For example, a teacher or administrator who wants to create ways to address racial, ethnic, and cultural differences may create a cluster of courses with social justice themes. Another cluster of courses may be created for a policy analyst (administrator and adult educator) interested in understanding colleges and universities as sites of leadership, change, and transformation.