INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING AND TEACHING (ILT) COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
7003 Exploration of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
This course examines the history and definitions of the concept of interdisciplinary learning and teaching. Students will survey the various research areas within the field of Interdisciplinary Studies. Through group and individual examinations of interdisciplinary issues, topics, and problems, students will engage in scholarly literature study and research practice. Each student will select a topic of study that will be a personal research theme throughout a two-course orientation sequence. Research expectations and requirements will be presented so that students begin to understand the path and sequence of research courses.
7013 Overview of Research Design for Instructional Inquiry
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Research methods or statistics course.
Overview of research design for quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies in Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching. Topics include formulating research questions, defining variables, developing a sampling design, collecting data, selecting appropriate analyses, and interpreting results. The course will emphasize the procedures commonly used in the study of classroom instruction and learning and the specialized computer programs used in the study of instruction.
7133 Perspectives and Approaches to Interdisciplinary Learning & Teaching
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
This course includes a rigorous study of the key paradigms and philosophies of knowledge construction and research used to inform teaching and learning in the field of education. Continuing with topics selected in ILT 7003, students work to understand and analyze their topic from within particular paradigms, applying diverse theories, principles and concepts to their study and comparing the outcomes of such study across the many theoretical and philosophical perspectives apparent within and beyond the field of education. The course focuses on transformation of issues, topics, and problems through sustained interdisciplinary analysis and application.
7143 Internship (Research and Teaching)
3 hours credit.
Students, with their advisor’s recommendation, will complete an internship in which they collaborate and apprentice with departmental and college faculty on current research projects and teaching opportunities. May be repeated
for credit.
7153 Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching in Sociocultural Contexts
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Advanced study of theories and research that explores sociocultural contexts that shape, influence, and constrain learning and teaching. Topics to be addressed include: sociopolitical and sociohistorical norms, values, and beliefs that impact education and the practice of democratic, inclusive and socially sensitive instruction. This course will investigate how the power dynamics and social constructions of race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, physical-ability-related concerns, etc., can be either validated or challenged by educational practitioners and institutions.
7633 Multiple Perspectives on Learning and Teaching
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Survey of critical research on learning, teaching and school reform. Students will examine teaching/learning research from multiple perspectives and from diverse fields of inquiry that inform education (psychological, sociocultural, sociohistorical, sociocognitive, etc.). Emphasis will be placed on theory and theoretical frameworks.
7733 Evaluation of Research
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
This course offers students multiple opportunities to deeply reflect on, explore and analyze common practices in educational research. Students will take a critical look at strengths and weaknesses across the entire spectrum of research paradigms, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed models. Students will evaluate which research methodologies will best be suited to finding answers to different kinds of research questions around current issues in education.
7893 Doctoral Research Seminar in Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Intended to provide doctoral students with necessary background information about conducting dissertation research. Guidance will be provided to students regarding dissertation proposals.
7953 Independent Study
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor and the student’s faculty advisor.
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 Doctoral degree.
7973 Special Topics Seminar
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An organized special topics seminar (e.g., Teacher Quality Research in STEM; Research on Culturally Efficacious Student Learning) offering the opportunity for in-depth study on topics of interest and cutting edge research. Special Topics Seminar courses may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Doctoral degree.
7983 Doctoral Dissertation
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy and consent of student’s faculty advisor.
May be repeated for credit, but not more than 9 hours may be applied toward the Doctoral degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the dissertation.
