What is Social Foundations?

Social Foundations of Education is the interdisciplinary study of schooling and other forms of education. Ever since it began during the 1930s at Teachers College of Columbia University, Social Foundations has brought together scholars who situate education in historical, philosophical, economic and social contexts. Using the tools of the humanities and the social sciences, social foundations scholars ask perennial questions, such as

What is the purpose of schooling in a democracy?
What knowledge and values should be taught and to whose benefit?
How are issues of race, ethnicity, social class, gender and disability manifested in schools?

Drawing from history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, international studies, and other disciplines to teach their courses, faculty in the social foundations program area ask that educators reflect critically on the social and cultural dynamics in educational settings and how we might improve our practices. We invite students from other human service professions and other disciplines to make similar use of the content of these courses for their professional practice.

Undergraduate Courses

At OSU, the Social Foundations program area offers several courses to undergraduate students. Students in professional education programs take SCFD 3223: The Role of the Teacher in American Schools, and other students are also encouraged to take this course for an extended exploration of the context of schooling in the United States. We also offer SCFD 4123: History of Education, which meets the general education requirement for social science, and SCFD 4913: International Problems and the Role of the School, a very popular course that meets the international general education requirement.

Graduate Courses

The Social Foundations faculty teaches several graduate courses for master's and doctoral students. All of the courses are characterized by the College's commitment to diversity, integration, and professional development. They include courses in the history of education, educational sociology, international and comparative education, diversity and equity, ethics and moral education, and transforming pedagogies.

Graduate Courses in Qualitative Research Methodology

Also located in the Social Foundations program area are the courses that make up the College of Education's sequence in qualitative research methodology. This is a comprehensive sequence for both master's and doctoral students and reflects the program area's commitment to rigorous interdisciplinary study.

Curriculum and Social Foundations, a degree option in the PhD in Education

The Social Foundations area offers a single degree, the PhD. This is a collaborative degree option with the faculty in the Curriculum Studies program area and is part of the PhD in Education. It is an interdisciplinary degree with a considerable emphasis on research and scholarship.