COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
EARLY CHILDHOOD
(ECE)
2103 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-based experiences required. (Formerly
ECE 3123. Credit cannot be earned for both ECE 2103 and ECE 3123.) [TCCN: TECA
1354.]
2113 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Introductory course for prospective teachers of young children. Competencies
specific to the science of teaching in early childhood/elementary programs will
be introduced. Students will become familiar with the fundamentals of teaching
including models of technology, lesson and unit planning, classroom management
skills, integration of technology, creating a classroom environment conducive
to learning, and teacher professionalism. Field-based experiences required.
[TCCN: TECA 1311.]
3133 Programs in Early Childhood
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Survey of historical, philosophical, psychological, and sociocultural foundations
of early childhood programs. Examination of past and current trends in early
childhood programs. Emphasis on inclusive education approaches to program development,
curriculum design, and instructional methods. Review of culturally responsive
programs; technological tools for instruction, and effective accommodations
for groups of young children representing a wide range of ability. Field-based
experiences required.
3313 Play, Creativity, & 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 early childhood and primary educators with knowledge
and skills necessary to promote and guide children's play behaviors as the child's
primary learning mechanism. Emphasis on effective strategies, equipment, materials
and activities that support and encourage children's play and creativity at
the early childhood and primary levels. Field-based experiences are required.
3603 Language & Cognitive Development
in EC-4
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
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-based 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. Field-based
experiences required.
4143 Principles and Practices of Inclusive Education
EC-4
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Study of culturally responsive programming for diverse
groups of children representing a wide range of ability. Identification of theoretical
perspectives and principles for inclusive education in early childhood and elementary.
Emphasis on effective instructional planning, learning environments, and teaching
practices to accommodate individuals in group settings. Field-based experiences
are required.
4203 Assessment and Evaluation in EC-4
(3-0) 3 hours credit. 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-based experiences are required.
4913 Independent Study
3 hours credit. Prerequisite: 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 Studies and Curriculum and Instruction 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