Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 4.02.02
Early Childhood and Special Education
Return to Early Childhood and Special Education
[1] Courses in Early Childhood and Special Education (ECSE)
3300 FOUNDATIONS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION This course is taken as part of the pre-professional education block and is required for admission into the Teacher Education Program. The course introduces candidates to the various roles assumed by teachers, including the role as childhood historian, child development specialist, curriculum developer, learning facilitator, child and family advocate, and education evaluator. Lectures, discussions, computer research, videotaped presentations, demonstrations, and field experiences are central to course development.  Fall, spring, summer.
3301 EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING THEORIES This course is taken as part of the mini-education block and upon admission to teacher education. The course introduces candidates to the cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language development of young children including those with disabilities, developmental delays, special abilities, and diverse backgrounds. Lectures, discussions, videotaped presentations, demonstrations, and field experiences are central to this course. Fall, spring, summer.
4307 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMMING AND TECHNIQUES FOR YOUNG DIVERSE LEARNERS This course is taken as part of Internship I. The course is designed to prepare candidates to meet the needs of young diverse learners in the general education setting. Through acquiring the necessary foundation of skill, the candidate will be able to function more effectively in designing and delivering modifications and accommodations for diverse learners. Modifications are presented in the areas of assessing, planning, classroom arrangement, collaborative learning, textbook, curricular, assignments, and giving directions. Prerequisite(s): Courses previous to Internship I. Fall, spring.
4309 CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT FOR P-4 This course is taken as part of the Junior block. The course introduces candidates to the strategies, skills, procedures, and models for managing the classroom. Prerequisites: Courses previous to admission to Junior block. Fall, spring.
4311 READING/LITERACY INSTRUCTION This course is taken as part of the Junior block. This course is the first part of a two-semester sequence that prepares teacher candidates to teach reading/writing in the P-4 classroom. The course develops a knowledge base related to emerging literacy and the specific competencies necessary for successful reading/writing instruction within a variety of classroom situations and with diverse populations. Prerequisite(s): Courses previous to admission to Junior block. Fall, spring.
4315 INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR LANGUAGE ARTS AND SOCIAL STUDIES ECE This course is taken as part of Internship I. This course focuses on the development and implementation of language arts and social studies strategies and materials using developmentally appropriate techniques that are professionally compatible with current research and practice. The diverse needs of the child and the integration of the curriculum are stressed in the implementation of teaching materials and strategies. Prerequisite(s): Courses previous to Internship I. Fall, spring.
4316 INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR MATH AND SCIENCE ECE This course is taken as part of Internship I. This course focuses on the development and implementation of math and science strategies and materials using developmentally appropriate techniques that are professionally compatible with current research and practice. The diverse needs of the child and the integration of the curriculum are stressed in the implementation of teaching materials and strategies. Prerequisite(s): Courses previous to Internship I. Fall, spring.
4318 INTERNSHIP I IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION This course is part of the Internship I semester for candidates in early childhood education. The course involves field projects, field seminars, and supervised teaching where candidates gain experience in organizing instruction, in creating a productive learning environment, and in achieving professional behaviors.
4319 GUIDANCE AND BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT This course is taken as part of Internship I. The course introduces candidates to the strategies, skills, and models for guiding and managing students. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and field experiences are central to the course, which will be conducted on the university and public school campuses. Prerequisite(s): Courses previous to Internship I. Fall, spring.
4320 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF READING AND WRITING STRATEGIES This course is taken as part of Internship I. This course develops a knowledge base related to the foundations of literacy learning and the specific competencies required for effective reading/writing instruction. The course prepares candidates to teach the processes of reading and writing to all students by presenting research-based approaches to teaching reading, current formal and informal assessment procedures, strategies to assist students with diverse learning needs and cultural backgrounds, professional practices, and the connection between the reading and writing processes. Lecture, group activities, and field experiences are integral parts of the course that will be taught both on the university campus and within the public school setting. Prerequisite(s): Courses previous to Internship I. Fall, spring.
4321 WORKING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES This course will examine state and federal laws governing and regulating early childhood special education, program models, and program development. It will familiarize candidates with curricula and instructional techniques that are appropriate for young children with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on providing candidates with knowledge of philosophies, roles, and services of various professionals providing services to young children with special needs. This course will include small group work, class discussion, and lecture. Prerequisites: Completion of P-4 Junior Block and Internship I. Fall, spring.
4322 ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION, AGES 0-8 WITH DISABILITIES This course will examine the theory, research, and practices of assessing students with disabilities in the classroom. The course emphasizes the concept of assessment, the assessment process, assessment options, and the practical skill of using assessment data for educational planning. This course will include cooperative learning, small group work, lecture, and class discussions. Prerequisites: Completion of P-4 Junior Block and Internship I. Fall, spring.
4323 MEDICAL ASPECTS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES The purpose of this course is to give candidates an understanding and identification of the medical causes of disabilities and educational implications of those conditions. Attention will be given to physical, intellectual, and sensory deficits. Additionally, the course is designed to assist candidates in developing skills in planning curriculum and instruction appropriate for students with significant (moderate to profound) disabilities. Candidates are required to reflect upon knowledge/research of human growth and development, learning theory, and individual needs of students with moderate to profound disabilities during the assessment, individual program development, and instruction process. This course will include lecture, small group work, and discussion. Prerequisites: Completion of P-4 Junior Block and Internship I. Fall, spring.
4324 PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION The purpose of this course is to expose the teacher candidate to a variety of best practices in special education through interaction with selected special educators in the field. Candidates will also be given opportunities to authentically apply and evaluate current knowledge-based methods and strategies unique to the developmental needs of diverse learners. This course will include field placement and related field assignments. Prerequisites: Completion of P-4 Junior Block and Internship I. Fall, spring.
4330 INTEGRATED CURRICULUM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION This course is taken as part of the Junior block. This course is a study of early childhood curriculum with developmental bases for learning, teaching, and assessing from both historical and current practices. The changing role of the teacher in developing curriculum for diverse populations will be emphasized. Prerequisite(s): Courses previous to admission to Junior Block. Fall, spring.
4331 ASSESSMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION This course is taken as part of the Junior block. This course is a study of early childhood curriculum with developmental bases for learning, teaching, and assessing from both historical and current practices. The changing role of the teacher in developing curriculum for diverse populations will be emphasized. Prerequisite(s): Courses previous to admission to Junior Block. Fall, spring.
4603 INTERNSHIP II This course involves teaching under supervision in an elementary public school setting (P-4). Requires full-day involvement and seminars. Taken concurrently with 4604. Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education and successful completion of all professional education courses. Fall, spring.
4604 INTERNSHIP II This course involves teaching under supervision in an elementary public school setting (P-4). Requires full-day involvement and seminars. Taken concurrently with 4603. Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education and successful completion of all professional education courses. Fall, spring.