EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (ECE) COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
5123 Seminar in Development in Early Childhood and Infancy
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: EDP 5003 or consent of instructor.
Studies of the results of stimulating sensory equipment in the early years and investigation of insufficient psychological and physiological nourishment. Includes relevant research-suggested practices that may enable future generations to avoid developmental disruptions and alleviate existing developmental handicaps.
5133 Language and Discourse Development in Preschool-Primary Children
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Study of early acquisition and development of language skills. Emphasis on identifying the sequence of normal expressive and receptive language development in terms of the child’s related abilities and learning experiences. Language acquisition and discourse in linguistically and culturally diverse children. Identification of atypical patterns of language development.
5443 Guidance of Social/Emotional Development in Children
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Study of behavioral issues encountered by educators in elementary and early childhood classrooms. Emphasis on understanding factors that influence the development of problem behavior within the context of children’s social and emotional development. Focus on prevention, early identification, and intervention methods and techniques. Study of curricular, environmental, and socio-organizational strategies for educators. (Formerly ECE 5453. Credit cannot be earned for both ECE 5443 and ECE 5453.)
5503 Theoretical Foundations of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Opportunity is provided for a systematic analysis of theoretical foundations of early childhood and elementary education, including an application of theoretical principles to instructional objectives, organizational schemes, teaching strategies, and materials. (Credit cannot be earned for both ECE 5503 and C&I 5503.)
5513 Curriculum, Methods and Materials in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of curriculum and instructional methods in diverse early childhood and elementary classrooms. Emphasis on planning and curriculum design, methods of instruction and materials for teaching at the level of student ability.
6123 Administration of Early Childhood Programs
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
This course is designed for those who are interested in managing the care and education of young children in various contexts, including community child care and public school settings. Students explore the various components related to administration of early childhood programs in inclusive settings including leadership and advocacy, human resource management, curriculum development, strategic planning, parental involvement, and legal issues.
6163 Biological Basis of Child Development: Brain Based Research and Learning
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: One course in general biology or general psychology or consent of instructor.
Analysis of biological and psychological perspectives on child growth and development. Emphasis on theoretical aspects of biopsychological and social and cultural factors influencing cognitive and learning functions.
6183 Seminar in Early Childhood Education in Cross-Cultural Perspective
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An examination of contrasting strategies of socialization employed by societies around the world, past and present; limit of and alternatives to formal early childhood education in the current Western sense. Readings are drawn from ethnographic and theoretical sources in anthropology, psychology, and education.
6213 Current Issues in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Studies of current issues in preschools and elementary schools and other educational settings. Investigation of research, practices, and positions related to the issues studied. Exploration of available models for possible solutions or resolution of issues, as well as factors that may have an impact on desired outcomes.
6303 Advanced Methods in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: C&I 5003 or consent of instructor.
Specialized studies in early childhood and elementary education are offered through course section in these areas:
- Science
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Literacy
- Fine and Performing Arts
- Play and Play Environments
- Nutrition and Health
- Gifted Education
- Supervision
May be repeated for credit when curriculum areas vary.
6363 Differentiated Instruction in a Diverse Classroom
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Application of instructional strategies for promoting the learning of diverse groups of children in typical classrooms. Implementing teaching strategies and techniques matched to individual learners, characteristics of subject matter and demands of the learning environment. Emphasis on acquiring a variety of teaching strategies to differentiate instruction within a social learning environment. (Formerly ECE 5473 and ECE 6373. Credit cannot be earned for more than one of the following: ECE 5473, ECE 6363, or ECE 6373.)
6423 Advanced Studies in Play
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
This course focuses on the examination and analysis of play research as it relates to different areas of young children’s development including cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and linguistic—birth through age eight. Examination of play theories, the role of the adult as facilitators of play, and contexts of play for all children including culturally and linguistically diverse children and children with special needs.
6453 Assessment and Evaluation in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Evaluation and research on student development and learning, educational programs, processes, products, instructional objectives, and alternative approaches to attain objectives. A disciplined inquiry into trends and issues in assessment and evaluation in early childhood and elementary education.
6473 Seminar in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examination of issues in early childhood and elementary education, including an extensive study of research findings, publications of related professional organizations, and research methodology applied to early childhood and elementary programs.
6513 Advanced Approaches to Interdisciplinary Teaching
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examination of theory and practice that impacts current interdisciplinary teaching and learning, early childhood and elementary education. Emphasis is on the interrelationships of subject area concepts and themes as they are applied to the early childhood elementary curriculum.
6523 Social Policy for Families and Children
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examination of social policy and its implications for communities, families and children. Students analyze national, state, and local policy for educational settings and investigate local and regional resources for the teaching and learning process.
6653 Action Research in Childhood Settings
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: EDU 5003.
Application of research concepts and skills in field studies. Participants conduct directed research in early childhood and elementary school settings. (Formerly ECE 6643. Credit cannot be earned for both ECE 6653 and ECE 6643.)
6723 Integrating Technology Across the Early Childhood and Elementary Curriculum
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An investigation into the design and use of innovative technological tools and instructional techniques across the early childhood and elementary education curriculum. Opportunities for design and use of educational experiences for children incorporating technological innovations. Includes use of technology to customize instruction to meet the individual learning needs of children.
6753 Metacognitive Thinking and Learning Strategies in Childhood Settings
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An exploration of metacognition in personal and school environments, where an understanding of one’s own thinking and learning strategies assist in defining strengths and areas of growth in teaching. An emphasis is made on the development of critical pedagogical thinking and teaching, and its unification of elements into classroom practice that has meaning-making applications for all life situations. (Formerly ECE 5523. Same as C&I 5523. Credit cannot be earned for more than one of the following: ECE 5523, ECE 6753, or C&I 5523.)
6943,6 Instructional Internship in Teaching
3 or 6 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of student’s graduate advisor.
Individually supervised full-time field experience in assigned classrooms for one semester (12 weeks) with related applied research activity. May be taken for teaching internship or student teaching. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours may be applied toward the M.A. in Education degree.
6951,3 Independent Study
1 or 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree.
6961 Comprehensive Examination
1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Approval of the appropriate Graduate Program Committee to take the Comprehensive Examination.
Independent study course for the purpose of taking the Comprehensive Examination. May be repeated as many times as approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Enrollment is required each term in which the Comprehensive Examination is taken if no other courses are being taken that term. The grade report for the course is either “CR” (satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination).
6973 Special Problems
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Problems courses may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree.
6983 Master’s Thesis
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Permission of the Graduate Advisor of Record and thesis director.
Thesis research and preparation. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the thesis. Enrollment is required each term in which the thesis is in progress.
7123 Cognitive and Linguistic Development in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A consideration of how language production and language understanding interact with content learning. With a focus on how children’s linguistic and cognitive development is promoted depending on how language is used in school activities. An exploration of the language policies and politics that affect schools, used in teaching and learning academic language for native speakers of English as well as those who speak other languages.
