Course
Descriptions for Special Education

EDUC 100, ELEMENTARY HEALTH and PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

This course provides basic health knowledge and skills that will enable candidates to introduce and reinforce learning about healthy lifestyles and how to integrate wellness concepts and practices in other subject areas of the school curriculum.

 

EDUC 248, EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, 4 credits
The applications of the principles of general psychology to the school situation, emphasizing psychological factors affecting student motivation and performance. Test construction, selection, and interpretation are introduced, and the course also includes a survey of exceptional children, with emphasis on related concepts, issues, and procedures. May require supervised field placement in a school setting in which exceptional and other children are observed.

 

EDUC 250, FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHING, 1 credit
For students seeking either elementary or secondary licensure. Fundamental professional and legal standards in teaching, and the role of teachers and schools in protecting the physical and mental health of young people. The course includes first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training and preparation for the PRAXIS I Academic Skills Assessment Test, which is part of the final examination for the course. Students may not apply for admission to the teacher education program without first having completed this course.

 

EDUC 260, THEORY AND PRACTICE OF TEACHING, 3 credits
For students seeking either elementary or secondary licensure. An introduction to education, including the ethics of education, education law, and public educational policy; the structure of schools and the teaching profession; and the literature of educational research and theory. Includes field observation in educational settings.

 

EDUC 320, ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS I, 3 credits
Introduction to the elementary school curriculum and the selection of age appropriate activities for children; classroom management; setting long and short range instructional goals and objectives; lesson planning and use of materials and technological and other resources; communication skills needed by elementary teachers. Special focus is on the teaching of reading and language arts. Course includes field assignments in educational settings. Prerequisites: EDUC 250 and admission to the elementary teacher education program.

 

EDUC 330, ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS II, 3 credits
Continued treatment of themes from EDUC 320, with focus also on development of students' study skills; adapting instruction to students with special needs; and the teaching of science, mathematics, and social studies. Course includes field assignments in educational settings. Prerequisites: EDUC 250, PSY 205, and admission to the elementary teacher education program.

 

EDUC 340, SECONDARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS I, 3 credits
Introduction to the secondary school curriculum; selection of developmentally appropriate activities for adolescent learners; classroom management; setting long and short range instructional goals and objectives; lesson planning and use of materials and technological and other resources; communication skills needed by secondary teachers. Special focus on the teaching of reading and writing in the content area. Course includes field assignments in educational settings. Prerequisites: EDUC 250 and admission to the secondary teacher education program. In addition, students should have completed, or be concurrently enrolled in, PSY 205.

 

EDUC 350, SECONDARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS II, 3 credits
Continued treatment of themes from EDUC 340, with focus also on development of students' study skills; adapting instruction to students with special needs; home, school, and community coordination. Students carry out curriculum and teaching projects in the content area, supervised by faculty members from their major departments as well as by teacher education faculty. Course includes field assignments in educational settings. Prerequisites: EDUC 250, PSY 205, and admission to the secondary teacher education program.

 

EDUC 360, TEACHING READING in the ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 3 credits

This course will investigate children’s literacy learning and development, as well as the teaching of literacy with a focus on grades K-5. As students in the course can expect to gain a sound theoretical knowledge of emergent and early literacy, as well as related practical knowledge of instructional frameworks, teaching strategies, and other classroom applications.

 

EDUC 400, ELEMENTARY STUDENT TEACHING, 9 credits nondegree only
Requires concurrent enrollment in EDUC 410, Elementary Education Seminar. Normally no other concurrent coursework is permitted for students who are enrolled in Student Teaching. Prerequisites: EDUC 320 and 330, and admission to the elementary teacher education program.

 

EDUC 410, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION SEMINAR, 3 credits
Required of, and limited to, students concurrently enrolled in EDUC 400. Evaluating one's own performance in teaching; further study of curriculum, pedagogy, and classroom management in light of the student teaching experience.

 

EDUC 450, SECONDARY STUDENT TEACHING, 9 credits
Requires concurrent enrollment in EDUC 460, Secondary Education Seminar. Normally no other concurrent coursework is permitted for students who are enrolled in Student Teaching. Prerequisites: EDUC 340 and 350, and admission to the secondary teacher education program.

 

EDUC 460, SECONDARY EDUCATION SEMINAR, 3 credits
Required of, and limited to, students concurrently enrolled in EDUC 450. Faculty participation from the student's major department as well as from the Teacher Education Program, with focus on curriculum and teaching skills specific to the content area; on classroom management; and on evaluating one's own performance in teaching.

 

MATH 200, MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS, 4 credits
The algorithms of arithmetic, number bases, mensuration and convergence factors. Divisibility properties of the integers, primes and composites, sets and numbers, logic and sets and techniques of proof.

 

SPED 210, INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION, 3 credits.

A course that explores principles, characteristics, and special needs; local and state programs for diagnosis and care; educational provisions in regular or special classes, home teaching, social and vocational guidance. Field experience required.

 

SPED 270, PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, 3 credits.

This course focuses on the development of skills in communication and collaborating effectively with parents, general education teachers, school administrators, support service personnel in school, and with other service providers in the community. A family systems framework is presented and studied. An emphasis is placed on training in problem identification and problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution, and communications.

 

SPED 280, PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, 3 credits.

This course addresses the education of students with disabilities from a practical, and multicultural perspective. An overview of history, legislation, and practice in the areas of community and employment integration of students with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on facilitating the student’s success in making the transition from school to community living. Field experience required.

 

SPED 310, CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN, 3 credits.

A course that addresses the characteristics and needs of children with disabilities. Included are psycho-social developmental and legal aspects. Field experience required.

 

SPED 311, NATURE OF THE LEARNING DISABILED CHILDREN, 3 credits.

A course that covers characteristics, identification and diagnosis, relationships to other disabling conditions, issues, and trends.

 

SPED 350, TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES, 3 Credit.

A survey of some the alternative and pragmatic models of teaching will be presented which includes direct instruction or whole-class instruction, cooperative learning, and peer tutors to aid today’s classroom students. Students will be involved in the development, execution, and evaluation on instructional activities, techniques, and strategies.

 

SPED 360, MANAGING INAPPROPRIATE CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR, 3 credits.             

This course is designed to acquaint students with the origin of inappropriate behavior on the part of children with special needs. An emphasis is placed on understanding the social and emotional aspects of behavior and how misbehavior impacts academic achievement. Students will also gain an understanding of effective techniques and approaches to deal with inappropriate behavior.

 

SPED 400, PROCEDURES FOR TEACHING THE GIFTED, 3 credits.

A course that addresses the characteristics and needs of the gifted child. Identifying, cognitive, behavioral, communication aspects, as well as, instructional approaches and teaching tactics. Provisions made through alternative special education services. Field experience required.

 

SPED 410, ASSESSMENT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, 3 credits.                                             

This course is concerned with appropriate assessment instruments and procedures for students with disabilities or suspected of having disabilities. Provides training in the administration and interpretation of psycho-educational tests. Field experience required.

 

SPED 420, INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, 3 credits.         

A course that addresses the implementation and strategies for utilizing various computer-based technology in the Special Education classroom.

SPED 480, STUDENT TEACHING OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN, 9 credits.

This course deals with observation and supervised field experience with exceptional children. Experience must be split between two of the following: Elementary and Secondary programs for the mildly disabled: Role of consultant, inclusion, and resource teacher; or for the ECE (Exceptional Child Education) students between home-based, school-based, and hospital programs. Prerequisites: Completion of all course requirements and admission to the Teacher Education Program. Passing scores on Praxis II required.

 

ENG 146, ADVANCED COMPOSITION, 4 credits
Review of grammatical principles and mechanics, to encourage correct writing in individual styles. Emphasis on exploration, discovery, and creation through language.

 

ENG 150, WRITERS' WORKSHOP, 4 credits. In an atmosphere free of tension and rigid regulations, Writers’ Workshop aims to provide an outlet for creativity under the supervision of a skilled writer or Instructor whose training and interest permit service as a mentor for aspiring younger writers. May be taken by any interested student.