Education Policy

Sample courses for an Education Policy focus

Please note:
These are an example of the courses that would fulfill this complimentary policy requirement.
We cannot guarantee when or if these courses will be offered.

Sociology

521. Sociology of Education. (3)
Examination of the character and dynamics of education in human societies. Focus is on the organization and expansion of modern educational systems and the effects of education on individuals and society.

Native American Studies

502 / 402. Education, Power and Indigenous Communities. (3)
How economic, political and social power influences the education of indigenous youth is the emphasis of the course. Topics include who defines the concept of an “educated person” and in what contexts.

Educational Leadership (LEAD)

503. Data-Informed Instructional Leadership. (3)
Development of instructional programs, human resources, and organizational improvements should be grounded in data, both qualitative and quantitative. Explores conceptual and practical approaches to analyzing data to improve schooling.

505. Visionary Leadership for Learning. (3)
This course explores in depth the idea that leadership is vision-based and that effective visions are developed jointly, communicated widely, support shared learning, and ultimately drive what gets done in the organization of community.

509. Leadership and Organizational Change. (3)
This course, designed as an introduction to the concepts, theories and processes of organizational theory and organizational behavior, will provide prospective education leaders with a better understanding of the way organizations operate.

510. School-Community Relations. (3)
Students will learn and practice communication skills; become familiar with mechanisms for school-community interactions; identify various groups within and outside the school that play a part in educational decision making and program implementation.

512. Public Education in New Mexico. (3)
This course provides an overview of the economic, social, historical, political, legal and financial aspects of public education in New Mexico.

534. Policy Issues in Education. (3)
This course focuses on current research and debates on critical policy areas relating to PK-12 education. The class examines the role of key decision-makers, ideologies, and implementation constraints in policy conflict resolution.

550. Culturally Responsive Leadership for Equity and Social Justice. (3)
This course will focus on the struggle for educational equity and social justice, how this struggle has been interpreted and understood, and how leaders can help educational institutions and communities promote equity and justice.

634. Education, Politics, and Policy. (3)
A doctoral seminar focusing on shaping educational policy, how leaders can influence the policy making process and how policies are applied to meet educational and community needs.

Language, Literacy, and Socio-cultural Studies

521. Proseminar: Sociology of Education. (3)
Introduces students to the structures and functions of schools in the U.S. and other societies through an examination of empirical research that looks at race, class, and gender oppression.

524. Critical Race Theory. (3)
Engages the premises of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Focuses on theorists and philosophers of color who write about racial struggle in White hegemonic societies. Explores the implications of CRT for educational research, policy, and practice.

548. Literacy Leadership. (3)
Addresses the needs of New Mexico literacy leaders in K-12 schools so that they understand: literacy processes, teaching, and learning; adult learners; politics and policies in literacy; and complexities of literacy in the 21st century.

583. Education Across Cultures in the Southwest. (3)
Focuses on issues, policies and school practices related to diversity and the education of native cultures of the Southwest as well as more recently arrived linguistic and cultural groups.

587. Education and Gender Equity. (3)
Explores gender-related issues in the field of education by examining explanations of gender in socio-cultural contexts and its intersection with race, class, ethnicity and sexuality. Students address these issues in teacher practice, policy and curriculum. 

Family and Childhood Studies

547. Global Perspectives in Early Childhood Education. (3)
This course focuses on how, and why, Early Childhood Education programs and policies vary in different countries and regions. It examines research that analyzes, comparatively, the history and current dimensions of such programs and policies. 

Chicano/Chicana Studies

360 / 560. Chicano Latino Civil Rights. (3)
The seminar examines Chicano Civil Rights by exploring forms of collective social action on behalf of immigration rights/reform, education rights/reform, labor rights, treaty rights, legal justice, environmental justice, veteran's rights, and political representation.

Law

Law 593: Special Education Law