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Courses (2024-25)

Education and Society courses for the 2024-25 academic year.
Please note: course listings change from year to year.
Should you have any questions, please contact 
vic.academics@utoronto.ca.

EDS260H1S | Equity and Diversity In Education

EDS260H1S
Equity and Diversity In Education
Professor Ken McNeilly
F 1-3

This course focuses on raising awareness and sensitivity to equity and diversity issues facing teachers and students in diverse schools and cultural communities. It builds knowledge of how oppression works and how cultural resources and educational practices may be brought to bear on reducing oppression and improving equity. Restricted to students enrolled in the Education and Society Minor.

Exclusion: VIC260H1, JSV202H1
Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)
EDS261H1F | Child and Adolescent Development in Education

EDS261H1F
Child and Adolescent Development in Education
TBA
W 3-6

This course examines how children and adolescents develop and explores how best to facilitate their growth and learning in the area of education. Major topics include cognitive, emotional, social, moral, physical and language development. Themes addressed include interpersonal relationships such as pro-social and aggressive behaviour, as well as the influence of schooling, family life and culture. This course includes an experiential learning component whereby students will profile a child based on their cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. Restricted to students enrolled in the Education and Society Minor. 

Exclusion: VIC261H1, JSV201H1
Distribution Requirements: Science, Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)
EDS265H1F | Introduction to Teaching

EDS265H1F
Introduction to Teaching
Professor Yiola Cleovoulou
M 1-3

This course will explore the foundations of teaching as a professional practice, mainly in the Ontario context. The course focuses on theory and research underlying policies and documents such as the Ontario College of Teachers’ Foundations of Professional Practice and Ministry curriculum.  Students will engage in reflexive inquiry about educational practice and policies through class discussions, small group work, case studies and/or independent study. The course will critically examine the relationship between the principles of teaching through moral, ethical and professional practices. Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Education and Society Minor. 

Exclusion: VIC265H1, VIC362H1
Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)
EDS355H1S | Social Justice in Education

EDS355H1S
Social Justice in Education
TBA
T 10-12

This course enables students to develop an understanding of historical and contemporary issues relating to social justice in education. The course builds an anti-oppressive praxis for working in diverse educational contexts, from classrooms and schools to state institutions and non-governmental organizations. The course approaches oppression as an outcome of interrelated structures co-constructed by race, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality, class, nationality, and age, focusing on the ways in which these intersect and influence one another. Students will develop and apply research skills in the design and implementation of a social action initiative relating to an equity, diversity, or social justice issue.

Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)
EDS356H1F | Multiliteracies in Education

EDS356H1F
Multiliteracies in Education
Professor Julia Forgie
R 10-1

This course introduces students to a multiliteracies framework through the pedagogical lens of social justice and diversity. Class participants learn to integrate the multimodalities of literacy in their teaching practice and expand their understanding of 21st-century literacy. Themes include language development, print literacy, digital literacy, critical literacy, visual literacy and multicultural perspectives on literacy. 

Exclusion: VIC356H1
Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)
EDS357H1S | Education in a Global Context

EDS357H1S
Education in a Global Context
Professor Rie Kijima
R 9-11

This course provides a historical overview and contemporary analysis of perspectives and practices of international education with a focus on international development and policy. Factors that shape the global architecture of education will be explored; these may include theories of globalization, education reform, comparative education, peace education, international schooling and global citizenship education. Students will have the opportunity to analyze education reforms and to address issues related to access and quality of learning. Restricted to students enrolled in the Education and Society Minor.

Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)
EDS358H1S | Residential Schools and Education in Canada

EDS358H1F
Residential Schools and Education in Canada
Professor Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo
W 10-1

The Residential School System in Canada greatly impacted the lives of many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples who were students but also the generations that followed. This course investigates how historical ideologies and beliefs of the dominant society, supported by governments and religious institutions, created an educational system intended to erase Indigenous people of their cultural and spiritual worldviews. Students will learn about experiences of those children through their stories told through multiple sources.  For those considering a career in education, students will engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Final Report, the Calls to Action, teaching strategies and resources . 

Prerequisite: Completion of 9.0 credits
Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)
EDS360 | Education Internship

EDS360
Education Internship
Professor Julia Forgie

Students are required to complete an internship in an educational environment. This can be satisfied by participation in an organization with the approval of the Program Coordinator. Written assessment of the internship is required. Restricted to students enrolled in the Education and Society Minor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is available in three formats, based on the nature of the internship:
EDS360H1F/S - 0.5 credit, completed in the Fall (F) or Winter (S) semester which involves 75 internship hours and additional coursework requirements.
EDS360H1Y - 0.5 credit, completed over two consecutive semesters which involves 75 internship hours and additional coursework requirements

EDS360Y1Y - 1.0 credit, completed over two consecutive semesters which involves 150 internship hours and additional coursework requirements.

International/out-of-province internships are also possible during the spring/summer sessions. Reach out to the Program Coordinator to inquire. 


Prerequisite: EDS265H1VIC265H1VIC362H1
Exclusion: EDS360Y1VIC360H1VIC360Y1
Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

EDS363H1S | Teaching Math: The JUMP Approach

EDS363H1S
Teaching Math: The JUMP Approach
Professors John Mighton and Tracy Solomon
M 4-6

This course will challenge the widely accepted idea that people need to be born with a special gift or natural ability to excel in mathematics. New research in education and cognitive science suggests that young learners often struggle in school because they are not taught in a way that allows their brains to work efficiently. This course will examine barriers that prevent students from learning and methods of teaching that can help all students reach their full potential (not only in math). Math lovers and math phobic students are welcome: the course aims to help students develop deeper levels of confidence and understanding in mathematics so they can become effective teachers themselves.

Exclusion: VIC363H1
Distribution Requirements:
Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

EDS368H1S | Special Topics in Education and Society: Multi-Faith Understanding in the Classroom

EDS368H1S
Special Topics in Education and Society: Multi-Faith Understanding in the Classroom
Professor Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo
W 10-1

Historically, Western educational systems included religious education because they were founded by religious organizations. Over time, Canadian public schools eliminated religious instruction as part of standard curriculum, in keeping with the Canadian Charter’s guarantee of religious freedom. While the curriculum and teaching pedagogies have evolved into a more secular form, students and teachers do not think and behave independently of their faith or religious worldviews. Therefore, educators must be equipped to comprehend these diverse traditions while creating a community of respect, open-mindedness and understanding in the classroom.

Students will examine the role of “multi-religious” understandings or spirituality in education using story (e.g. personal experiences), literature and current events. Possible topics may include religious literacy, spirituality in the classroom, the evolving role of religion in public education, current issues of religion and faith in schools, multifaith/interreligious/intercultural dialogues, and exploring diversity among and within different faiths traditions.