Social Foundations of Education
The Social Foundations of Education program is rooted in a variety of academic disciplines, including anthropology, economics, history, philosophy, political science and sociology.
Our interdisciplinary work promotes critical questions that challenge standard assumptions about the purposes of schools in a democratic society, the role that race, class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality play in teaching, learning, school funding, etc., and the importance of understanding critical policy analyses in the context of neoliberalism.
The overarching purpose of social foundations study is to bring intellectual insights to develop interpretive, normative and critical perspectives on education, both inside and outside of schools.
Our Faculty and Programs
Program Coordinators:
Kristen Buras
Coordinator for the Social Foundations in Education concentration in the Educational Policy Studies Ph.D. program
kburas@gsu.edu
404-413-8286
Patricia Carter
Coordinator for the Social Foundations M.S. degree program
pcarter@gsu.edu
404-413-8293
Program Faculty
Deron Boyles
Kristen Buras
Patricia Carter
Jennifer Esposito
Joyce King
Richard Lakes
The Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies allows students to examine the philosophy and practice of education and to develop skills in both the methodology and the study of educational practice. Students will prepare to become policy makers and examiners of policy and the effects of policy on education.
There are three concentrations you can choose within this degree program:
Concentration in Educational Leadership
This concentration emphasizes organizational leadership, policy development, supervision and management. The leadership concentration will be designed to satisfy the career objectives of the students. Graduates may anticipate careers in school administration, governmental education agencies and the professorate. (Not accepting students at this moment)
Concentration in Research, Measurement and Statistics
This concentration prepares graduates to investigate research methodologies, to conduct research related to schools, and to conduct and critique research in educational practice, policy and administration. Students develop knowledge and skills in qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methods.
Concentration in Social Foundations of Education
Social foundations is a broadly conceived field of educational study that derives its character from a number of academic disciplines and interdisciplinary studies. At Georgia State University, the disciplines involved in social foundations inquiry are history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology and political science; the interdisciplinary field is cultural studies. The purpose of social foundations study is to bring the intellectual resources derived from these areas to bear in developing interpretive, normative and critical perspectives of educational theory, policy and practices, both inside of and outside of schools.
These projected course schedules are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time, without actual notice to individual students. The University will make every effort to keep students advised of any such changes. These schedules are tentative and not guaranteed. Course offerings can change for a variety of reasons, including instructor availability, limited resources and demand. Students must note it is their responsibility to keep apprised of current graduation requirements for their particular degree programs.
Contact Us
Need more information? Fill out our form and we’ll get back to you. Choose the Social Foundations of Education M.S. program or Educational Policy Studies Ph.D. from the drop-down menu (which includes all of the programs offered by the College of Education & Human Development).