Educational Studies Studies Course Descriptions

EDUC 225 - Education and Social Justice (CSI)

Critical examination of the social, cultural, political and economic forces that influence school policies and practices. Analysis of the challenges and opportunities teachers confront as they respond to the needs of all students and the lived experience of social class, gender, race, ethnicity, linguistic difference, ability, and/ or sexual orientation. Those intending to pursue licensure must concurrently enroll in EDUC 125. No prerequisites. Offered each semester

EDUC 125 - Schooling in Society (.25)

Prospective teacher education candidates observe and interact with students in a local public school, examining the relationship between education and social justice as it expresses itself in the field. Requires 20-25 hours in the field. Concurrent with EDUC 225. In the case of transfer students, the prerequisite is EDUC 225 or equivalent.

EDUC 250/350/450 - Independent Study

An opportunity for students to deepen their concepts of educational topics and issues not offered through regular courses, primarily through intensive library research. Arranged to meet individual needs. May be repeated if project is different. Prerequisite: Consent of supervising faculty member. Offered as needed.

EDUC 255 - Child Study and Assessment (W)

Developmental theory, research, and assessment of school-age children and adolescents. Individual differences in student learning and development. Case study, observational, and narrative assessment. Those intending to pursue licensure must concurrently enroll in EDUC 126. No Prerequisite. Offered each semester.

EDUC 126 - Teaching to the World of the Child (.25)

Prospective teacher education candidates observe and interact with individual children at the elementary or secondary levels in a local public school, assessing the factors that contribute to or inhibit the child's learning and socio-emotional development. Requires 20-25 hours in the field. Concurrent with EDUC 255. In the case of transfer students, the prerequisite is EDUC 255 or equivalent.

EDUC 257 - Disability Rights (AV,U)

The characteristics and assessment of, and methods of instruction for, students with disabilities, and the gifted within a range of cross-categorical placements. Inclusion, individualized education plans, and universal design. The historical and legal evolution of special education, the rights of families, and the responsibilities of teachers. The lived experience of students defined as disabled and the social construction of disability. Working with and establishing partnerships with professionals and parents of children with exceptionalities. Field trips or field placement in inclusive or special education classrooms. Prerequisites: EDUC 255, MUS 132 or permission of instructor. Offered each semester.

EDUC 270 - Special Topics in Educational Studies

Focused exploration of varied topics relevant to Educational Studies. Topics vary each year. Course may be repeated if content is not duplicated. See current Program of Classes to determine if this course fulfills general education requirements. May count toward the interdisciplinary major or minor. Offered annually.

EDUC 271 - Teaching & Learning with Technology K-12

Educational technologies and their applications in K-12 classrooms, including instruction, assessment, and research. Attention to technological skills, trends, and curricular pedagogical and ethical issues involved in the use of technology in schools. Prerequisite: EDUC 225 or permission of instructor. May be taken concurrently with other Educational Studies courses. Offered annually.

REA 272 - Child and Adolescent Literature (LIT)

Exploration of child and adolescent literature through critical analyses of themes, characters, and narratives. Emphasis on multicultural and social justice perspectives and the uses of literature to illuminate and inform human experiences. Counts toward the child and family studies concentration in the Educational Studies interdisciplinary major and toward the reading endorsement for licensure candidates. Prerequisite: EDUC 255 or permission of the instructor. Offered annually.

EDUC 320 - Foundations of Literacy: Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication

Theory and practice addressing language, literacy, and reading instruction in the Birth-12 classroom. Research-based instructional approaches for content literacy, alphabetic code, and language. Includes examination of materials, technologies, and assessments and their applications in a supportive literacy environment. Emphasis on interdisciplinary instruction and creating socially just curricula. Meets reading endorsement requirements for licensure candidates. Concurrent field placement. Prerequisites: EDUC 225, 255, and Acceptance to the TEP, or permission of instructor. Offered each fall.

REA 322 - Advanced Assessment and Diagnosis of Reading

In-depth treatment of assessment and diagnosis of reading disabilities grades PK-12. Uses and limitations of standardized, authentic, formal, and informal assessment measures and strategies. Emphasis on nondiscriminatory assessment which takes into consideration the impact of disabilities, communication, culture, and primary language. The interpretation of assessment information for diagnosing individual students’ reading. Communicating diagnostic information to students and their parents. Course counts towards the reading endorsement for licensure candidates. Concurrent field placement. Prerequisites: EDUC 320 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

REA 323 - Advanced Interventions for Struggling Readers

Remedial reading instruction, support, materials, and resources for PK-12 students with reading disabilities. Development of individual educational plans (IEP) or response to intervention (RtI) plans, and the design, implementation, and evaluation of reading programs for small groups and individual students. Strategies for multisensory instruction are emphasized. Course counts towards the reading endorsement for licensure candidates. Concurrent field placement. Prerequisite: EDUC 320 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years, spring semester.

EDUC 330 - Mathematics, Science, and Technology Curriculum Pedagogy in the Elementary Classroom

Constructivist approaches to the teaching and learning of mathematics and science focusing on problem-solving, reasoning, and proof, scientific inquiry, modeling, technology integration, and interdisciplinary connections. Emphasis upon planning, assessment and teacher research regarding best practices for addressing the needs of all students. Concurrent field experience. Prerequisites: C- or above grades in Math 105 and Math 106 or equivalent, and acceptance into the Teacher Education Program or permission of instructor. Refer to the TEP Handbook and consult with instructor for prerequisite college algebra equivalents. Offered each fall.

EDUC 335 - Exploring Inquiry and Creativity in the Elementary Curriculum

Concepts, materials, and pedagogies in the visual and performing arts (music, theatre, and dance) and the social sciences throughout the elementary curriculum. Integrating fine arts and the social sciences through use of simulation, role play and project based initiatives across content areas to promote communication, inquiry, and engagement for developmentally and culturally diverse learners. Required field experience. Prerequisites: EDUC 225, 257, and acceptance to the TEP or permission of instructor. Offered each spring.

EDUC 340 - Instructional Planning, Assessment and Safe Learning Environments at the Early Childhood and Elementary Levels

Lesson and unit planning strategies that incorporate principles of differentiated instruction and assessment, concepts involved in the assessment construction and the assessment of student progress, alternative ways of creating safe and comforting classroom environments, to be examined, observed, and tested in the field. Prerequisites: EDUC 225, 257, and acceptance to the Teacher Education Program or permission of instructor. Must be taken concurrently with EDUC 341. Cross-listed with EDUC 345. Offered each spring.

EDUC 345 - Instructional Planning, Assessment and Safe Learning Environments at the Middle Grade and Secondary Levels

Lesson and unit planning strategies that incorporate principles of differentiated instruction and assessment, concepts involved in the assessment construction and the assessment of student progress, alternative ways of creating safe and comforting classroom environments, to be examined, observed, and tested in the field. Prerequisites: EDUC 225, 255, 257 and acceptance to the Teacher Education Program or permission of instructor. Must be taken concurrently with EDUC 360, EDUC 361, EDUC 362, or EDUC 363. Cross-listed with EDUC 340. Offered each spring.

EDUC 360 - Curriculum and Pedagogy in English and Second Language

Curriculum development, pedagogical theory and practice in middle and high schools specific to literature, culture, and written and oral communication in English and second languages. Curriculum planning, instructional strategies, assessment, and creating positive learning environments responsive to the individual needs and abilities of all students. Required field experience (50 hours minimum). Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program and four courses in the major. Taken semester prior to student teaching. Must be taken concurrently with EDUC 345. Offered each spring.

EDUC 361 - Curriculum and Pedagogy in Social Science

Curriculum development, pedagogical theory and practice in middle and high schools specific to social science with an emphasis on history, including teaching with primary sources. Curriculum planning, instructional strategies, assessment, and creating positive learning environments responsive to the individual needs and abilities of all students. Required field experience (50 hours minimum). Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program and four courses in the major or pursuit of the middle school endorsement. Taken semester prior to student teaching and must be taken concurrently with EDUC 345 unless used to exclusively fulfill middle school endorsement. Offered each spring.

EDUC 362 - Curriculum and Pedagogy in Grades 6-12 Mathematics

Curriculum development and pedagogical theory and practice in middle and high schools specific to mathematics, emphasizing mathematical reasoning and problem solving, multiple representations, and technology integration from a constructivist perspective. Curriculum planning, implementation, assessment, and creating positive learning environments responsive to the individual needs and abilities of all students. Required field experience (50 hours minimum). Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program and four courses in the major or pursuit of the middle school endorsement. Taken semester prior to student teaching and must be taken concurrently with EDUC 345 unless used to exclusively fulfill middle school endorsement. Offered each spring.

EDUC 363 - Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Natural Sciences

Curriculum development and pedagogical theory and practice in middle and high schools in the natural sciences, with specific attention to biology, chemistry, and physics. Specific attention to scientific inquiry and reasoning, laboratory experiences and relevant technologies. Curriculum planning, implementation, assessment, and creating positive learning environments responsive to the individual needs and abilities of all students. Required field experience (50 hours minimum). Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program and four courses in the major or pursuit of the middle school endorsement. Taken semester prior to student teaching and must be taken concurrently with EDUC 345 unless used to exclusively fulfill middle school endorsement. Offered each spring.

EDUC 365 - Reading, Writing and Communication in the Content Areas

Examination of the relationships among reading, writing, and oral communication and integrating each within content learning across the disciplines. The nature of reading; assessment of students’ reading, writing and oral communication skills; the design of instructional approaches and best practices for developing academic vocabulary, comprehensive, and content knowledge based on research; and the selection of materials and texts to support content area literacy among diverse groups of Birth-12 students. Prerequisites: EDUC 360, 361, 362, or 363 OR MUS 232, 333A and 333B OR permission of instructor. Offered every May Term.

EDUC 370 - Special Topics in Educational Studies

Focused exploration of varied topics relevant to Educational Studies. Courses have include Children and Families with Special Needs, School and Community, Images of Children and Film, and Globalization and Youth Advocacy. Topics will vary each year. Course may be repeated if content is not duplicated. See current Program of Classes to determine if this course fulfills general education requirements. May count toward interdisciplinary major or minor.

EDUC 373 - Education and International Development (CSI, W, G)

Throughout the world, education has been viewed as an important means of improving people’s lives. This assumption is examined and critiqued by analyzing educational policies and practices in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Specific topics include the educational treatment of girls, indigenous peoples, street children, child refugees, and child laborers. Also examined are the efforts to teach reformed child soldiers and children who are, or whose parents are HIV positive. Offered alternate years.

EDUC 397 - Internship

Directed research and individually designed field experience in an educational, community, or social service setting. Prerequisites: Junior/senior standing and education advisor approval. Offered as needed.

EDUC 470 - Special Topics in Educational Studies

Focused exploration of varied topics relevant to Educational Studies. Topics vary each year. Course may be repeated if content is not duplicated. See current Program of Classes to determine if this course fulfills general education requirements. May count toward the interdisciplinary major or minor.

EDUC 490 - Student Teaching Seminar

Creating socially just, democratic, culturally responsive and inclusive classroom communities. Parent-teacher relationships and professional collaboration. Self-study of teaching. Teacher Performance Assessment. Summer reading required prior to the start of the term. Prerequisites: acceptance to Student Teaching. Concurrent enrollment with student teaching (491, 492, 493, 494, 495). Offered each fall.

EDUC 491 - Student Teaching: Secondary English Language Arts

Full time immersion and induction into the range of experiences associated with public school teaching at all levels of high school English, under the guidance and direction of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Teacher Performance Assessment portfolio. Chicago placement option. Concurrent enrollment in 490 required. Prerequisites: acceptance to Student Teaching. Offered each fall.

EDUC 492 - Student Teaching: Secondary Social Science

Full time immersion and induction into the range of experiences associated with public school teaching of high school core social science and designated history classes, under the guidance and direction of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Teacher Performance Assessment portfolio. Chicago placement option. Concurrent enrollment in 490 required. Prerequisites: acceptance to Student Teaching. Offered each fall.

EDUC 493 - Student Teaching: Second Language

Full time immersion and induction into the range of experiences associated with public school teaching at all levels of the high school foreign language classroom, under the guidance and direction of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Teacher Performance Assessment portfolio. Chicago placement option. Concurrent enrollment in 490 required. Prerequisites: acceptance to Student Teaching. Offered each fall.

EDUC 494 - Student Teaching: Secondary Mathematics

Full time immersion and induction into the range of experiences associated with public school teaching at all levels of the high school mathematics classroom, under the guidance and direction of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Teacher Performance Assessment portfolio. Chicago placement option. Concurrent enrollment in 490 required. Prerequisites: acceptance to Student Teaching. Offered each fall.

EDUC 495 - Student Teaching: Secondary Science

Full time immersion and induction into the range of experiences associated with public school teaching of core science and designated sciences (biology, chemistry, or physics) under the guidance and direction of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Teacher Performance Assessment portfolio. Chicago placement option. Concurrent enrollment in 490 required. Prerequisites: acceptance to Student Teaching. Offered each fall.

EDUC 496 - Student Teaching: Elementary

Full time immersion and induction into the range of experiences associated with public school teaching in grades kindergarten through eight, under the guidance and direction of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Teacher Performance Assessment portfolio. Chicago placement option. Concurrent enrollment in 490 required. Prerequisites: acceptance to Student Teaching. Offered each fall.

EDUC 497 - Internship

Directed research and individually designed field experience in an educational, community, or social service setting. Prerequisites: Junior/senior standing and education advisor approval. Offered as needed.

EDUC 498 - Educational Inquiry (W)

Capstone course revisiting social justice issues in education through student led and collaborative research within classroom, school, and community contexts, culminating in a public presentation. Includes extensive literature review. Prerequisites: 490 and 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, or 496 or all other courses in the interdisciplinary major or minor (exception for 9th semester student teachers). Offered each spring.