Instructor: Dr. P. A. Dunae
In this course, we'll consider the origins and characteristics of formal education in Canada. We'll look at competing traditions of public schools and private schools, the advent of state-supported kindergartens, and the growth of colleges and universities. We'll examine the development of the teaching profession and discuss the school experiences of First Nations and new immigrants.
This course will also focus on issues relating to childhood and youth. We'll look at historical notions of "child-raising," the increasing role of government in family life, the impact of the baby boom and advent of "teen culture." Although our course has a national complexion, much of our material will be drawn from British Columbia.
History 349 is designed to provide British Columbia students — especially students enrolled in Education degree programmes — with an historical context of the school system and an historical perspective on attitudes and activities associated with youth.
The assigned readings for this course are included in a customized course package available from the university bookstore. The package consists of material copied from books and journals available in the Vancouver Island University library. We will also be consulting material from an online exhibit, Lessons Learned: The Evolution of Education in Ontario along with material from The Homeroom - British Columbia's History of Education web site.