Course Descriptions

This course serves as an introduction to the teaching profession.  It provides a basic understanding of the foundations of the education system in the United States and the role of teachers in that system. The course is designed to provide practical experience by requiring a minimum of 20 hours of observation and directed experiences in a public school with at least 10 of those hours in an approved diverse setting.

 EDU 215 SURVEY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION / 3 credits  
This course provides a study of the history, theory, and practice of Early Childhood Education in context as well as supervised observation and experience in the Early Childhood field. This course requires a minimum of 5 one hour observations in separate and distinct early childhood settings from birth to age 8. 

EDU 210 TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION / 3 credits
Using the International Society of Technical Education (ISTE) Standards, this course will concentrate on the integration of computers and contemporary technology into classroom instruction. Computer curriculum will be examined. 

EDU 311 GEOGRAPHY / 3 credits
A survey of geography including map study, continents, oceans, land forms, vegetation, climate, etc. 

EDU 314 HUMAN AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY / 3 credits
An introductory course in human and cultural geography, which emphasizes spatial and ecological components. 

EDU 324 CHILDREN’S LITERATURE / 3 credits
This course establishes criteria for evaluation and selection of children’s literature across the curriculum. Students develop familiarity with the use of age-appropriate literature as an instructional strategy.

EDU 325 PRACTICUM / 1 credit
This seminar will expose students to the principles of the PATHWISE domains A and B of how to organize content knowledge for student learning and how to create environments for student learning. Supervised classroom participation experiences of at least 30 hours in approved settings are required in grades/disciplines appropriate to students’ areas of licensure. Prerequisite:?Documentation of passing scores on all parts of Praxis I and a 2.5 G.P.A. 

EDU 326 PRACTICUM II / 1 credit
This seminar will expose students to the principles of PATHWISE domains C and D of how to teach for student learning and teacher professionalism. Supervised classroom participation experiences of at least 30 hours in approved settings are required in grades/disciplines appropriate to students’ areas of licensure. Prerequisite: Completion of Practicum I. 

EDU 335 EDUCATING DIVERSE AND EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS / 2 credits
This course is to assist teacher candidates to become caring, reflective and competent professionals and to prepare them to meet the educational needs of diverse and exceptional learners. This course will take into consideration cultural, economic, language, and other differences found in learners as well as explore different types and levels of intelligence, resilience, and motivation.

EDU 336 EDUCATING DIVERSE AND EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS FIELD EXPERIENCE / 1 credit     
Directed experience in a diverse setting applicable to teacher education and/or professional growth. Prerequisite: Concurrently enrolled in EDU 325 Educating the Diverse and Exceptional Learner or consent of instructor. May be repeated for additional elective credit.  

EDU 333 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION / 3 credits
Emphasis on the history of ideas in American thought as related to education; special attention to the educational implications of major philosophical traditions: Particular emphasis on the philosophical roots of significant influences on American education: the colonial religious mind, the American enlightenment, nineteenth-century democracy, naturalism, and the contemporary neo-democratic and post-modernist thought. 

EDU 382 SPECIAL TOPICS IN EDUCATION / 3 credits
Study of selected topics in education. Prerequisites will vary. 

EDU 399 EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL STUDIES COURSE: Various Topics / 1 credit
Studies of varying topics in education, including a two-week Nichols trip. Prerequisites will vary depending upon course topic.

EDU 404 METHODS OF INTEGRATING THE LIBERAL ARTS IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL / 3 credits
This course will focus on writing and teaching integrated, thematic units. Subject matter will include incorporating the academic disciplines within language arts, including the humanities (English, foreign language, history, philosophy, politics); fine arts (art, music, theatre); social sciences (anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, sociology); mathematics (computer science, mathematics, physics); and science (biology, chemistry) into thematic units. Technology will be emphasized in the delivery of units of instruction. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Practicum II. 

EDU 450, 451 DIRECTED STUDY / 1-3 credits
Directed individual study in an area accepted for teacher certification or professional growth. Prerequisite: Admission into LATEC. 

EDU 460 DIRECTED MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE / 1-3 credits
Directed experience in an area accepted for teacher certification or professional growth. Prerequisite: Admission into LATEC. 

EDU 461 METHODS OF INTEGRATING THE LIBERAL ARTS INTO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: LITERACY AND SOCIAL STUDIES / 2 credits
Subject matter for this course will be drawn from Language Arts and Social Studies. Technology will be incorporated into the instruction for each of these areas. Emphasis will be placed on creating integrated thematic units for use in an early childhood/elementary curriculum. Field-based clinical experiences required. Prerequisite: Admission into LATEC. 

EDU 462 METHODS OF INTEGRATING THE LIBERAL ARTS INTO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE / 2 credits
Subject matter for this course will be drawn from Mathematics and Science. Technology will be incorporated into the instruction for each of these areas. Emphasis will be placed on creating integrated thematic units for use in an early childhood/elementary curriculum. Field-based clinical experiences required. Prerequisite: Admission into LATEC. 

EDU 463 METHODS OF INTEGRATING THE LIBERAL ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS AND WELLNESS / 2 credits
This course will emphasize making the arts an integral part of the curriculum and enabling candidates to recognize the importance of the creative process in the intellectual development of learners. Curriculum development and thematic approaches will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Practicum II. 

EDU 495 STUDENT INTERNSHIP / 8 credits (4+4; Fall and Spring)
Assignment to an instructional team in a partner school. Actual classroom observation and teaching in the classroom required. Fee required. Prerequisite: Admission into LATEC.