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Course Descriptions
EDU 4101 Reading & Interpreting Educational Research
Enables students to read, interpret, and critically evaluate educational research. Emphasis on methods of data collection, design issues, program evaluation, and the integration of best practices research evidence for the educational practitioner.
EDU 4200 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education in the U.S.
This course emphasizes the philosophy, history, psychology, and sociology of education. Certification, school law, current trends/issues, and other topics related to the teaching profession are introduced. Student experiences will culminate in the development of a personal Philosophy of Education and exploration of current issues in education theory and practice.
EDU 4390 Principles and Strategies for Effective Curriculum and Instruction
The emphasis of this course is to explore research-proven teaching processes and varying paradigms for the development of curriculum and instruction. An additional focus will be on the alignment of curriculum, instruction, assessment techniques, and behavioral guidance.
EDU 4395 Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary School Physical Education
This course includes curricular practices for the classroom teacher in teaching elementary school physical education, health and safety. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4396 Urban Education Seminar
This course provides a general introduction to urban education. Readings and discussions will focus on diverse and controversial perspectives on urban education and are intended to spark intellectual dialogue and encourage an engaged and critical analysis of the text. The course explores the complexity of urban education issues through multiple lenses, including those of students, parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders, politicians, economists, and government. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4404 Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary School Social Studies
Interdisciplinary and multicultural approach to the development of an elementary school social science curriculum. Participants will examine grade appropriate curricula, analyze textbooks, analyze and compare concepts of citizenship, and develop learning experiences for social studies in accordance with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4405 Curriculum and Instruction for Inclusion
Examination of laws relevant to the education of students with special needs. Focus on appropriate techniques, early intervention, assistive technology and collaborative efforts to accommodate students with a range of abilities. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4410 Curriculum and Instruction of the Arts in the Elementary School
Participants learn how to integrate music, movement, drama, and the fine arts into the elementary education curriculum in order to enhance children's overall development through aesthetic and creative experiences. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4420/4421 Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary School Reading and Language Arts I & II
These courses explore current research-based instructional strategies and curricular practices that promote children's reading, writing, listening, and speaking competencies in accordance with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. (3 credits for each course)
EDU 4422 Child Development in the Elementary School Classroom
Course participants will develop an understanding of the social, emotional, and developmental characteristics of children and the connection between emotions and learning. While discussing some of the major developmental theorists, the biological, maturational, social, and cultural effects on emotional and cognitive development will be addressed.
An overview of the major psychological disorders of childhood will be discussed within the context of classroom management strategies for teachers of learners with diverse needs. The fundamental strategies for creating a supportive, nurturing, and non-threatening classroom environment also will be addressed during this course. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4425 Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary Mathematics and Science
In this course we will explore the natural curriculum and instruction connections in elementary science and mathematics. We will investigate content overlap in the areas of measurement, data collection, charting, graphing and the study of patterns. Since some important aspects of each discipline are more properly taught separately, we will review standards to determine appropriate content and process teaching strategies. We will see that problem solving and inquiry strategies support learning in both disciplines. We will study lesson plans which use science examples to illuminate mathematical concepts and mathematical concepts which clarify science examples. Our approach will be constructivist and our central focus will be problem solving and inquiry. Readings, discussion, class work, writing assignments and lab work will be required.
EDU 4427 Technology in the Curriculum
Hands-on approach to the integration of technology in the classroom. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4430 Strategies for Effective Classroom Management
Emphasis upon the development of a preventative model of classroom management that creates a caring and safe learning environment. Examination of a variety of research proven strategies to increase time-on-task, motivation and cooperation in the classroom. Focus is on developing effective modes of communication and problem solving strategies for encouraging student responsibility for learning and behavior. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4450 Field Experience I
Field Experience needs to be developmental in nature and should evolve from observation and reflection to planning and participation. The objective of Field Experience I is for students to understand and use a clear and specific set of criteria to analyze teaching and learning. These criteria will help in establishing a baseline set of practices for students to eventually use in their own teaching practices. (1.5 credits).
EDU 4451 Field Experience II
Field Experience II continues to provide students with opportunities to analyze teaching and learning in the context of weekly seminars and in actual classrooms. One objective of this course is to move students from being observers to participants and gain real teaching experience. In addition to attending weekly seminars, students must complete a prescribed number of hours in an actual classroom. Pre-requisite: Field Experience I. (1.5 credits).
EDU 4455 Student Teaching
This experience entails a 14-week internship in a public or private school setting under the clinical supervision of a faculty member. This is a requirement for Certification and these credits are not applicable towards the Master's degree. (6 credits)
EDU 4460 Graduate Education Seminar
This course is designed as a culminating experience for the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction program. There are three key goals for this seminar: (1) the development of reflective practitioners; (2) an expansion of students' knowledge of important professional issues that are relevant to the classroom teacher; and (3) the development of knowledge and strategies for seeking professional employment. (1.5 credits)
EDU 4461 Master's Thesis
The Curriculum and Instruction Master's Thesis was created to provide M.A. only candidates with a 1.5 credit alternative to EDU 4460 Graduate Education Seminar. Candidates who elect to complete the Master's Thesis must register for EDU 4461, research a topic of their choosing and write a paper. Candidates must also identify an advisor with which to work during the Master's Thesis period, usually one semester. The advisor will approve the topic and oversee the research method(s) and writing. (1.5 credits)
EDU 7000 Independent Study in Education
Eligible students may submit, for review and approval by the program director, a written plan for Independent Study that extends their academic and professional work in a direction that program course work cannot provide. Independent Study plans may not substantially duplicate the content of an existing course, and students must obtain the cooperation of an appropriate faculty supervisor. Open only to matriculated students in good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher) who are within 12 credit hours of graduation; eligible students may earn a maximum of 6 credit hours in an Independent Study format.