Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
The Equity in Education Minor (EEM) is an undergraduate course of study that develops students’ knowledge, understanding, and skills along three education pathways. All pathways allow students to explore the historical, philosophical, and ethical foundations of education while also offering the opportunity to individualize the program of study to support personal and career goals.
The EEM does not confer or necessarily lead to a California teaching credential, but it does provide a solid foundation for entry to a credential program or future graduate study in education and related fields.
The EEM is open to any major with the exception of Liberal Studies.
The EEM requires 18–19 semester units to complete. At least half of the units must be from upper-division courses (3000-4000 level). Many EEM courses are general education courses that double count toward the minor and GE. Some EEM courses have prerequisites.
The PK-12 Teaching Pathway includes three different strands that include prerequisite courses needed for entrance into a Cal Poly credential program (multiple subject, single subject, special education). Students interested in PK-12 teaching are recommended to pursue one of these teaching strands.
The other two pathways (Education Studies or Social Justice & Critical Pedagogy) do not complete prerequisites for Cal Poly credential programs and are therefore suggested for students who are interested in education outside of PK-12 school settings. The Education Studies pathway would prepare students interested in pursuing careers in graduate study in the fields of adult education, higher education/student affairs, and educational leadership and administration. The Social Justice & Critical Pedagogy pathway would prepare students interested in careers or graduate study in the fields of higher education, non-profit, or community education.
Program Learning Objectives
- Examine the development of cultural and social identities in educational settings. (DLO 4, 5)
- Analyze the historical, political, economic, and socio-cultural factors that maintain and disrupt patterns of educational inequity. (DLO 2, 3, 4)
- Assess how education can influence individual and community well-being. (DLO 5)
- Identify the key elements that support productive learning environments for a linguistically and culturally diverse student population. (DLO 5, 6)
- Apply key concepts from relevant content areas, developmental psychology and social theories to learning in educational contexts. (DLO 3, 5)
- Advocate for strategies and educational policy that support community partnerships, inclusive learning environments and social justice. (DLO 5)
Minor Requirements and Curriculum
- At least half of the units must be from upper-division courses (3000-4000 level).
- At least half of the units must be taken at Cal Poly (in residence).
- No more than one-third of the units will be taken with credit-no credit grading (CR/NC), not counting courses with mandatory CR/NC. Departments may further limit CR/NC grading if desired.
- A minimum 2.0 GPA is required in all units counted for completion of the minor.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| EDUC/CD 2207 | Children's Learning and Development in Educational Settings | 3 |
| or PSY/CD 2256 | Developmental Psychology | |
| EDUC 3300 | Historical, Philosophical, and Social Foundations of Public Education | 3 |
| or SCM 3300 | Early Field Experience | |
| ES 1112 | Race, Culture, and Politics in the United States | 3 |
| PK-12 Teaching Pathway | ||
| Select from the following: | 6-7 | |
| Special, Elementary, & Secondary Education (with the exception of English Education) | ||
| Culturally Responsive Methods and Inquiry for Teaching Emergent Bilinguals and Educating Individuals with Exceptional Needs | ||
| Secondary English Education | ||
| Culturally Responsive Methods and Inquiry for Teaching Emergent Bilinguals and Reading Instruction for the Teaching of Young Adult Literature | ||
| Approved Electives | ||
| Select from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Education Studies Pathway | ||
| Constitutional Issues and Social/Historical Foundations of U.S. and California Education | ||
| Identity and Equity in American Schools | ||
| Cognition | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Teaching Statistics: Pedagogy, Content, Technology, and Assessment | ||
| Language, Technology and Society | ||
| Social Justice & Critical Pedagogy Pathway | ||
| Developing Teachers of Color | ||
| Social, Historical and Cultural Influences on Latinx Students in Education | ||
| Gender, Race, Culture, Science, and Technology | ||
| Critical Race Theory | ||
| Social Constructions of Whiteness | ||
| Identity and Equity in American Schools | ||
| Humanities in Chicanx/Latinx Cultures | ||
| Other Approved Electives | ||
| Agricultural Youth Leadership Development | ||
| Computer Applications in Agricultural Education | ||
| Children's Literature in a Diverse Society | ||
| Theory and Practice of Tutoring Writing | ||
| Introduction to American Indian Studies | ||
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Latina/o/x Studies | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Healthy Living in the Modern World | ||
| Concepts and Applications in Elementary Physical Education | ||
| Music for Classroom Teachers | ||
| Teaching Physics | ||
| Seminar for Science and Math Tutors | ||
| Seminar for Learning Assistants | ||
| The Learn By Doing Lab Teaching Practicum | ||
| Theory and Practice of STEM Tutoring | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |