Course Topics
Since changes are going on anyway, the great thing is to learn enough about them so that we will be able to lay hold of them and turn them in the direction of our desires.
John Dewey, Education Reformer (1859-1952)
Since the dawn of recordable history, philosophers, leaders and scientists have documented the fact of change and strived to respond to its impact. University 222 asks students to explore the significant transformations that have occurred throughout society over the past century, from technology, information, and business to literature, the arts, science and medicine, and education. In addition to studying the effects of these changes on the ways that people think, work, and interact, students will consider the significant challenges and amazing opportunities that these new developments create for everyone.
Explore the topics (at left) in brief interviews with each member of the teaching team as they talk about change in their discipline, their content focus, and the teaching methodologies they’ll apply during the class.
Try out a few samples of materials and ideas considered in class and learn along with the students.
Would you follow you? Contemplate the Leadership Challenge presented by Dean Silver.
Do schools kill creativity? If so, what should we do about it? Watch this video of Sir Ken Robinson posted by Dean Ayala.
What is art? Dean Stearns discussed with students when and how punk music, Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe defined it. Read an excerpt from Smith’s award-winning memoir “Just Kids” and explore how she changed art.