SRES 350 School and Church in Contemporary America
Offered in Fall & Spring semesters. This course is devoted to the understanding of schools, educational Outcomes, churches and religious practice using the tools and methods of contemporary social science and economic inquiry. The course will survey the most important theoretical ideas in the economics of education through the exploration of research papers and critical monographs. The course will also look at the key social determinants and covariates of religious practice, becoming familiar with the primary data sources, metrics and methods for the analytical study of religion, religious practice, and religious institutions. Topics to be addressed include: returns to education; educational equity and school finance; the black white achievement gap; early education; peer effects; class size; school expenditures (does money matter?); vouchers and charter schools; teacher quality; merit pay; religious schools; churches; religiosity; and faith-based institutions. Students should complete this course with a strong grasp of the major debates and puzzles in the social analysis of education and religion.
Cross Listed Courses
SRES 350 & SRES 550
Prerequisite
Open to undergraduates with sophomore or higher standing