Elementary Education B.A.

Offered every term. Study of how readers make meaning of texts and how texts influence readers. Emphasis on interpreting literary texts: close reading, critical analysis and effective writing.

Offered autumn. Prereq., eligibility for WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) based on writing placement examination. General survey of the field of Humanities in Western civilization contrasting the Greco–Roman with the Jewish and Christian traditions.

Offered spring. Prereq., eligibility for WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) based on writing placement examination. General survey of the field of Humanities in Western civilization, from the Middle Ages through modernity.

UM: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of passing score on writing diagnostic examination, referral by WRIT 095 instructor-SAT writing score at or above 440, MUSWA at or above 3.5, SAT/ACT essay score at or above 7, or ACT Combined English/Writing score at or above 18. Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Credit not allowed for both WRIT 101 and COM 101. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit). MC: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of appropriate SAT/ACT essay, English/Writing, writing section scores, appropriate MUSWA scores, or proof of passing scores on Writing Placement Exam). Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit).

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., WRIT 101; open to majors in elementary education, secondary education or pre-education. Genre survey, including cross-cultural literature, that focuses on responding to children’s literature through reading, writing, listening, speaking, and activities that emphasize selecting literature, teaching critical thinking, and integrating literature into the elementary curriculum.

Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to Human Geography focuses upon the linkages between geography and society including analysis of regions, ethnic groups, urban landscapes, migration and population change, geopolitics, economics, and cultural differences.

Offered autumn. An overall view of how the lands and peoples of the world are organized into coherent geographical regions, how landscapes differ from region to region, and how the people differ in terms of their traits, beliefs, ways of life, and economic livelihood.

(AM) Offered autumn.  A comprehensive introductory history of Colonial, Revolutionary and 19th century America, to 1877. Lecture-discussion. Credit not allowed for both 101H and 103H.

(AM) Offered spring.  A comprehensive introductory history of the U.S. since 1877. Lecture-discussion. Credit not allowed for both 102H and 104H.

(AM) Offered autumn.  An introductory and interpretive history from Lewis and Clark to 2000.

Offered Autumn and Spring.  Survey course to acquaint the student with Native American Studies by a general overview of Indian history, culture, philosophy, religious beliefs and contemporary issues.

Offered every term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with consent of instructor. Constitutional principles, structures, and the political processes of the national government.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Admission to the Teacher Education Program. This course must be taken concurrently with Level 1 courses. This course will examine the classroom practices that impact elementary aged children’s learning, motivation and development. The content is closely aligned with co-requisite courses and initial field experience, allowing opportunities for observation and practice of principles covered in class.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Admission to the Teacher Education Program. This course must be taken concurrently with Level 1 courses. This course prepares pre-service teachers to work with all students including those who are struggling learners and high achievers. The course is focused on school-wide assessment and instruction methods with particular focus on working with individual children and small groups in core academic areas.

(R-4) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., admission to the Teacher Education Program. Arranged field experience and seminar focusing on applying content from the co-requisite courses. This course number is used for multiple clinical experiences. Check the class schedule or with your advisor regarding the appropriate section. Elementary Education Majors: EDU 395 Clinical Experience Level 1 must be taken concurrently with Level 1 courses. EDU 395 Clinical Experience Level 2 must be taken concurrently with Level 2 courses. Secondary and K-12 Licensure Students: EDU 395 Clinical Experience K-8 and EDU 395 Clinical Experience 9-12 have a prerequisite of an initial field experience and should be taken concurrently with a secondary or K-12 methods course.

(R-15) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., admission to the Teacher Education Program. This course number is used for multiple methods courses. Check the class schedule or with your advisor regarding appropriate sections. PK-4 Early Numeracy: Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 1 courses and is restricted to students who have been admitted to the Elementary Education program. Students will learn mathematics concepts, methods of instruction, and the use of instructional materials appropriate for grades K-4 including the use of state and national standards for mathematics, appropriate technology, and manipulatives. Additionally, students will learn techniques for assessing the effectiveness of the counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, numbers and operations, measurement and data, and geometry. PK-3 Early Literacy: Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 1 courses and is restricted to students who have been admitted to the Elementary Education program. The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of emergent literacy and beginning reading and to examine developmentally appropriate methods of teaching and assessing reading to children in grades K-3.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Admission to the Teacher Education Program. This course must be taken concurrently with Level 2 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Level 1. This course will focus on characteristics and strategies for optimizing learning for children with exceptionalities in the regular education classroom. Addresses the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and subsequent reauthorizations, presents practices for working with students who are at-risk and students with disabilities in inclusive settings, and includes technological considerations.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Admission to the Teacher Education Program and general computer literacy skills. Recommended pre- or co-req., EDU 202. Integration and use of computer and other technologies in education.

(R-4) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., admission to the Teacher Education Program. Arranged field experience and seminar focusing on applying content from the co-requisite courses. This course number is used for multiple clinical experiences. Check the class schedule or with your advisor regarding the appropriate section. Elementary Education Majors: EDU 395 Clinical Experience Level 1 must be taken concurrently with Level 1 courses. EDU 395 Clinical Experience Level 2 must be taken concurrently with Level 2 courses. Secondary and K-12 Licensure Students: EDU 395 Clinical Experience K-8 and EDU 395 Clinical Experience 9-12 have a prerequisite of an initial field experience and should be taken concurrently with a secondary or K-12 methods course.

(R-15) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., admission to the Teacher Education Program. This course number is used for multiple methods courses. Check the class schedule or with your advisor regarding appropriate sections. PK-4 Early Numeracy: Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 1 courses and is restricted to students who have been admitted to the Elementary Education program. Students will learn mathematics concepts, methods of instruction, and the use of instructional materials appropriate for grades K-4 including the use of state and national standards for mathematics, appropriate technology, and manipulatives. Additionally, students will learn techniques for assessing the effectiveness of the counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, numbers and operations, measurement and data, and geometry. PK-3 Early Literacy: Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 1 courses and is restricted to students who have been admitted to the Elementary Education program. The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of emergent literacy and beginning reading and to examine developmentally appropriate methods of teaching and assessing reading to children in grades K-3.

Offered every term. Prereq., admission to Teacher Education Program and EDU 202 or EDU 395. Practical application of ethical principles of the teaching profession. Analysis of the American public school and major policy issues from historical, legal, political, social as well as ethical perspectives.

Offered autumn and spring. A study of the foundations of environmental science and conservation education with applications to community service and teaching.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Admission to the Teacher Education Program. This course must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Level 1 and 2. This course is designed to prepare pre-service teachers to set up a classroom, establish classroom policies and procedures and routines, establish and maintain cooperative relationships with parents, effectively provide feedback to students, motivate desired student behavior, and research professional literature to seek best classroom management practices to hone the craft of effective instruction.

(R-15) Offered autumn and/or spring. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education Program. This course number is used for multiple elementary and secondary methods courses. Check the class schedule or with your advisor regarding appropriate sections. 5-8 Mathematics: 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Levels 1 & 2. Methods of teaching, assessing, and evaluating mathematics in the 5-8 middle grades including number and operations, rational numbers, ratio and proportion, measurement, algebra, expressions and equations, geometry, probability, statistics, and functions. K-8 Social Studies: 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Levels 1 & 2. Emphasis on developing teaching and assessing social studies teaching/learning opportunities that incorporate literature, primary sources and other developmentally appropriate activities. Overarching themes address diversity, integration across the curriculum and understanding state and national curriculum standards. K-8 Science: 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Levels 1 & 2. Emphasis on developing, teaching, and assessing science teaching/learning opportunities that are inquiry-based, developmentally appropriate, integrated across the curriculum, and aligned with state and national curriculum standards. 4-8 Reading: 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Levels 1 & 2. Preparation for teaching reading in a 4-8 setting so that all students are successful. Emphasis on reading to learn. Focus on using assessment to guide instruction, learning from trade books, textbooks, and electronic texts, activating prior knowledge, studying texts, and developing student enthusiasm for reading. 5-12 Science: 3 cr. Offered autumn. Methods of teaching science in the middle and secondary school. This course emphasizes the use of inquiry, problem-solving, appropriate use of technology, and assessment techniques that align with state and national curriculum standards. 5-12 Social Studies: 3 cr. Offered autumn. Foundations and purpose of the middle and secondary social studies curriculum. Elements of curricular design, including instructional methods, materials and assessment. 5-12 Mathematics: 4 cr. Offered autumn. Methods for teaching mathematics in grades 5-12 focusing on presentation of mathematics concepts and procedures through models, problem solving, and technology. Development of instructional strategies and classroom organizational models, discourse in the classroom, and multiple means for assessing student progress. 5-12 Business Subjects: 4 cr. Offered autumn. Methods for teaching business subjects in grades 5-12 focusing on content-specific topics in business, marketing, and information technology to include: instructional planning; effective teaching strategies (F2F & online); multiple means for assessing student progress; classroom management; and the relationship of the content area to standards-based curricula.

(R-9). Required seminar during student teaching. Focuses on learning to conduct research on P-12 student performance to determine teaching effectiveness. Includes on-campus and/or on-line planning, conducting, and analyzing classroom practice.

(R-14) Offered autumn and spring. Arranged capstone clinical experience required for all professional licensure students. Prereq., admission to the Teacher Education Program, completion of all required field experiences and methods courses, an application to student teach, and the consent of the Director of Field Experiences. In addition, elementary education majors must complete all coursework in all previous levels. Secondary and K-12 licensure students must complete at least two-thirds of content coursework and receive approval by departments in their major and minor content areas.