Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. Schools are primary institutions charged with responsibility of preparing young people for their roles as citizens so that they can participate in our democracy. Public schools also serve as key sites where two essential, and at times conflicting, functions are carried out: students are sorted based on measures (and perceptions) of their ability to fill occupations and roles that are essential to economy; and students are educated in hopes that next generation will acquire knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills to solve problems created by previous generations. Focus on understanding challenges, contradictions, and complexities associated with carrying out these functions. Letter grading.