Foundations of American Education

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Joanna Quinlan (Clinical Assistant Professor of Teacher Education)
• Email: jquinlan@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Lovell Hall 122
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Thursday: 9:30–11:00 a.m. (In person, Lovell Hall 122)
  • Tuesday: 10:00–11:00 a.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Historical, philosophical, social, and legal foundations of American schooling, school governance and finance, and the teaching profession, with 15 hours of classroom observation. EDUC 201 introduces prospective educators to the historical, philosophical, sociological, and legal foundations of schooling in the United States. Students examine the historical expansion of public education, competing educational philosophies, the complex governance and financing of public school districts, and landmark judicial decisions defining student and teacher rights. A core component of the course is a mandatory 15-hour clinical field observation experience in local partner schools, connecting foundational theory to contemporary classroom practice.

Prerequisites

None.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of EDUC 201, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Historical Milestones in American Education: Trace the historical evolution of American schooling from the common school movement through civil rights legislation, desegregation, and modern standards-based accountability reforms.
2. Evaluate Competing Educational Philosophies: Compare essentialism, perennialism, progressivism, and social reconstructionism, identifying how each philosophical orientation shapes curriculum, pedagogy, and classroom climate.
3. Deconstruct School Governance, Law, and Finance: Analyze the legal structures governing public schools—including First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, mandatory reporting duties, and state funding equalization models.
4. Conduct Structured Field Observations: Complete 15 hours of focused field observation in assigned partner school classrooms, documenting instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement.
5. Articulate a Professional Philosophy of Education: Synthesize historical, philosophical, and clinical insights to author a coherent personal philosophy of teaching aligned with InTASC professional standards.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Sadker, David M., and Karen R. Zittleman. Teachers, Schools, and Society: A Brief Introduction to Education. 6th ed., McGraw Hill, 2022. Approx. $85 print, $50 digital rental.
2. Spring, Joel. American Education. 20th ed., Routledge, 2022. Approx. $65 print or digital.
3. Total estimated cost: $75 to $115.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), EDUC 201 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to brainstorm educational philosophy prompts, explore historical timelines of landmark school desegregation court cases, and edit your personal educational philosophy statement for grammar and clarity.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to fabricate or draft clinical field observation notes, generate student reflection logs, complete weekly reading quizzes, or produce answers for examinations. Clinical observations must reflect authentic field experiences in assigned partner schools.
• Disclosure: All submitted reflection portfolios and philosophy papers must contain an AI disclosure statement identifying any tools used and describing their specific role in the writing process. If no tools were used, state: 'No generative AI tools were used in preparing this work.'

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination 1: 15% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Examination 2: 15% (In class, Thursday, November 12)
• Personal Philosophy of Education Paper: 15% (Due Friday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m.)
• 15-Hour Clinical Observation Log & Reflection Portfolio: 20% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Foundations Canvas Quizzes: 15% (Due Mondays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas; lowest quiz score dropped)
• Final Examination: 20% (Monday, December 14, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in this course.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Punctual attendance and active participation are mandatory for all seminar meetings. In-class case analyses, mock school board hearings, and field reflection workshops require full collaborative presence. If an unavoidable illness or emergency occurs, notify Dr. Quinlan before class. Accumulating more than two unexcused absences will result in a reduction of your course grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Written assignments submitted late will be penalized 10% per calendar day for up to 72 hours. Submissions beyond three days late will not be evaluated. Weekly Canvas quizzes must be completed prior to the posted Monday deadline.

Mandatory 15-Hour Field Observation Requirement

Candidates must complete 15 verified hours of classroom observation in an assigned partner school and submit a signed verification log. Failure to complete all 15 hours results in an incomplete (I) or failing grade (F) for EDUC 201.

School of Education Gateway Standard

Teacher education candidates must achieve a minimum grade of C+ in EDUC 201 and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.750 to qualify for formal Admission to Teacher Education.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Monday, December 14, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).