SWO-702 The Inner Life of the Adult Learner: Introduction to Theory and Practice

3 credits

Teaching is about building a culture of trust, a relationship that supports intellectual growth through shared purpose and mutual aid as well as a willingness to take risks and be uncomfortable. This course imagines the inner life of the adult learner through examination of social learning theory, cognitive and metacognitive science, contemplative practices, the interconnectedness between emotions and knowledge acquisition and retention, and other diverse approaches to student engagement. The course considers different frameworks for understanding adult learning by exploring the barriers to learning that result from complex trauma, poverty, oppression, and most notably, racism. Threaded throughout the course curriculum are themes deconstructing the impact of structural racism on education and students’ sense of belonging within the classroom.