BA in Education, Democracy and Justice in Santa Cruz United States | University of California, Santa Cruz

The Education, Democracy and Justice program (EDJ, called Edge) offers students the chance to explore key issues, frameworks, methodologies, and studies in education from a broad perspective that extends beyond traditional school settings. Through this major, students gain theoretical foundations to critically analyze social and policy environments, along with daily practices that perpetuate unequal systems in education, society, and culture - all of which profoundly influence our democratic health and community wellbeing.

The EDJ curriculum enables examination of fundamental inquiries, conceptual models, practical applications, and scholarly work in the expansive field of education. Classes equip learners with analytical tools to assess societal and policy landscapes as well as routine behaviors that reinforce disparities across educational institutions, social structures, and cultural norms with lasting consequences for democratic integrity and communal life.

Academic Journey
This program investigates the historical development and political dimensions of education systems and their connection to building fair, democratic communities. It covers cognitive theories, instructional approaches, and matters of fairness along with cultural and language differences in educational settings and school regulations. While not concentrating on global education systems, the curriculum does examine how migration and worldwide interconnectedness impact American schooling.

The course sequence delves into the evolution and governance of education and its role in creating equitable, participatory societies. It addresses understanding, teaching, and learning concepts alongside concerns about equal opportunity and multicultural/language variations in education policies and implementation. Though international education isn't the primary focus, the program considers how population movements and global integration affect U.S. educational institutions.