EARLY CHILDHOOD (ECE) COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
3143 Child Growth and Development
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Study of growth and development during early childhood. Review and integration of physical, psychological, social, language, and cognitive development affecting growth in children. Emphasis on multicultural perspectives of child development addressing culturally diverse populations and children with atypical patterns of development. Field experiences required. (Formerly ECE 2103. Credit cannot be earned for both ECE 3143 and ECE 2103.)
3313 Play, Creativity, and Learning EC–4
(3-0) 3 hours of credit.
A study of the current knowledge of play and creativity and the relationship between children’s play and cognitive, social, and affective development. Will provide EC–4 educators with knowledge and skills necessary to promote and support children’s play as a primary learning mechanism. Emphasis on effective strategies, equipment, materials, and activities that support and encourage children’s play, creativity, and learning. Field experiences required.
3603 Language and Cognitive Development in EC–4
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: EDU 2103, IDS 2013, and admission to Teacher Certification Program.
Introduction to theories of language and cognitive development in young children with implications for acquisition of language and early literacy skills. Review of the development of symbolic logic and language learning of children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Field experiences required.
4103 Guidance of Young Children in Groups
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Study of effective strategies for guiding the social-emotional development and learning of children, including those with special needs, in group settings. Emphasis on classroom management and discipline methods; understanding human interactions and the cultural dynamics of groups; and guiding children in task involvement. Examination of strategies for facilitating cooperative activities and use of materials; the design of effective learning environments; conflict resolution techniques, and strategies for enhancing the inclusion of children with special needs in social and learning contexts. Field experiences required.
4123 Family and Community Resources in Early Childhood
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Study of approaches to family, community, societal, cultural, and ideological support systems in children’s growth, learning, and development. Emphasis on how these factors are related in the permissive-restrictive dimensions of child rearing and socialization in broad perspectives across environmental contexts. Examination of resources and systems to address the special needs of families with children who are “at risk” or have disabilities. Review of technological tools used to locate and compile information on community resources. A minimum of 10 hours of field experiences required.
4143 Principles and Practices of Differentiated Education EC–4
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: SPE 3603 and admission to Teacher Certification Program. Concurrent enrollment in C&I 4303 and RDG 4733.
Study of culturally responsive programming for diverse groups of children representing a wide range of ability. Identification of theoretical perspectives and principles for education in early childhood and elementary. Emphasis on effective instructional planning, learning environments, and teaching practices to accommodate individuals in group settings. Field experiences required.
4203 Assessment and Evaluation in EC–4
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: ECE 3143, ECE 3603, and admission to Teacher Certification Program. Concurrent enrollment in C&I 4403, EDP 3133, and RDG 3823.
Principles of designing and using assessment and evaluation techniques that are culturally fair, intellectually sound, reliable, dependable, and content-valid for young children. Emphasis on differentiation among criterion-referenced, norm-referenced, individual, informal, authentic, and group assessments. Review of strategies for using assessment data to inform instructional planning, and matching assessment techniques to individual children and learning situations. Field experiences required.
4913 Independent Study
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Permission in writing (form available) from the instructor, the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and Dean of the College in which the course is offered.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree.
4953 Special Studies in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Studies may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree.
4993 Honors Thesis
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Enrollment limited to candidates for honors in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching during the last two semesters; consent of the Honors College.
Supervised research and preparation for an honors thesis. May be repeated once with advisor’s approval.