New Graduate Minor Approved

The College of Education is excited to announce the launching of a new graduate minor this spring!  Foundations of Emancipatory Education is a discussion-based seminar engaging students with the philosophical, theoretical,
methodological and practical moorings present in educational pedagogies of liberation and freedom.

The Course Facilitator, Dr. Dawn Demps, currently teaches courses in introductory and advanced qualitative methods and people power for educational policy change. Her area of research looks at the ways Black populations’ agency has repelled, resisted and responded to educational exclusion and denial in all of its presentations while building upon freedom dreams to create inclusive futures. Dr. Demps has over 25 years’ experience in youth programming, non-profit management and community organizing that informs her methodological and pedagogical approach.

The class will consider the historical and contemporary scholars who have advanced ideas regarding education for the empowerment and positive progress of marginalized peoples and society as a whole. Additionally, students will consider the roles of the classroom teacher, administrators, students, community, and school system in such a freedom project. Moreover, this course will explore the promise of reflection and healing for students and educators in spite of the historical trauma and tous les jours violations against oppressed peoples.

This course has a unique schedule with course readings, videos, and assignments completed on D2L and in-person seminars the first full weekend of each month (Jan 13, Feb 3, Mar 2, Apr 6) from 9 am to 1 pm.

Current graduate students can visit UAccess Student to enroll for the Spring 2024 semester!