CURR514: Inservice Supervised Graduate Student Teaching

Open only to post-baccalaureate and graduate students; this course replaces supervised student teaching for those already employed in teaching situations without standard certification. Joint supervision by the school district and University personnel. Student must obtain permission of department chairperson and the school district. Certain qualifications required. 4 - 8 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

ECEL501: Perspectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Diverse Society

Examines the historical, social, political, and philosophical trends and ideologies that impact the care and education of children. Emphasis will be placed on how models have changed over time to respond to the evolving needs and dispositions of our society with regard to brain research, inclusive practices and culturally responsive teaching and learning. 10 hours field work required. 3 sh.

ECEL502: Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms

Accompanies ECEL 510, Clinical Experience I in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings, and offers students a forum for discussion, reflection, and critical thinking with regard to clinical work in inclusive elementary classrooms. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: Admission to M.A.T. in Early Childhood or Elementary Education or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Early Childhood or Elementary Education.

ECEL504: Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms

Provides students with a forum to discuss the role of the teacher as teacher candidates take on full-time classroom responsibilities. Discussions focus on identifying and involving oneself in the professional field of early childhood/elementary/middle school education, upholding and advocating for ethical standards, engaging in continuous and collaborative learning, and taking a critical stabnce to inform practice. Teacher candidates demonstrate that they can make and justify decisions based on their knowledge of central issues such as developmentally appropriate practice, culturally responsive learning and teaching, and the context of children's lives. 1 sh.

ECEL510: Clinical Experience I in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings

Provides clinical experiences in an early childhood or elementary setting to foster the skills and dispositions necessary to become effective and nurturing teachers. Students provide learning opportunities that support children's intellectual, social, and emotional development; design environments that support culturally responsive teaching; and plan and assess high quality curriculum. Students develop skills as reflective and questioning practitioners, promote democratic values and communication in the classroom, and build relationships with school colleagues, families, and agencies in the larger community. 2 sh.

Prerequisites: Admission to M.A.T. in Early Childhood or Elementary Education or Post-Baccalaureate Program in Early Childhood or Elementary Education.

ECEL511: Clinical Experience II in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings

Students demonstrate their knowledge of child development and the significant role of families and communities with regard to children's learning by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive curriculum in an inclusive early childhood/elementary classroom. Focusing on the diverse needs of individual children, students develop, implement, and assess an integrated curriculum unit that incorporates the Core Curriculum Content Standards and emphasizes literacy across the curriculum. As reflective practitioners, students utilize multiple strategies to assess children's learning, classroom climate, and effective classroom management. Students are responsible for the full range of teacher activities in the classroom and are expected to seek out the resources of parents, administrators, and school colleagues. Students are to demonstrate their strengths as a teacher. 5 sh.

Prerequisites: ECEL 510.

ECEL516: Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms

Introduces students to critical pedagogy through the process, skills, and inquiry of social studies and the arts. The content focus of the course will be diverse communities, weaving together history, geography, social studies (anthropology, economics, archeology, etc.) and the visual and performing arts. Special emphasis will be placed on developing a critical perspective on social studies and the arts, exploring arts media and fostering dialogue focused on creativity, literacy strategies, and culturally responsive teaching and learning. 3 sh.

ECEL517: Integrating Science and Technology in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms

Explores the nature of science as a discipline and examines how to integrate science, math and technology into the classroom curriculum. Students will learn strategies to engage children in active explorations aligned with the NJ Science, Math and Technology Standards. Students will recognize the integration of science and math content as vehicles for critical thinking, and children's engagement in the wonder and study of the natural and physical (human-made) world. Students will experience hands-on, minds-on science activities supported by technology and will examine successful management techniques and science safety codes. Students will gain confidence and skills in the scientific concepts and principles that unite the science disciplines: systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanation; change, constancy, and measurement; evolution and equilibrium; and form and function. 3 sh.

ECEL522: Curriculum Development and Assessment in Diverse Elementary Classrooms

Provides students with the opportunities to explore and experience research-based learning theories, teaching practices, curriculum, classroom management models, instructional strategies, and assessment used in upper elementary/middle level classrooms. Students will apply a framework of culturally responsive teaching and learning to curriculum development and building classroom community. Critical reviews of research, case study methods, planning and implementation of an integrated curriculum unit, and reflection on one's teaching beliefs will be investigated through journal writing, classroom observations, curricular development, assessment techniques, and group discussion. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ECEL 501.

ECSE508: Strengthening Partnerships with Families of Children with Disabilities

Addresses family-professional partnerships in early childhood special education. Students gain knowledge, skills and dispositions to work collaboratively with diverse families to support the development and education of young children with special needs. Various models including family-focused practice and family systems theory are discussed. 3 sh.

ELRS503: Methods of Research

Theory and methods of historical, descriptive, and experimental research; formulation of a research problem; use of bibliographical sources and reference materials; statistics and measurement in research; types and instruments of research; data collection, and analysis. Writing the research report and career opportunities in research. 3 sh.

FCST214: Child Development I

This course takes a developmental approach to the study of young children from conception to age 10. For each developmental stage, physical, socio-emotional, cognitive, and language domains are discussed. Developmental theories are woven into each part of the course. Observational and research methodologies are emphasized. Out-of-class observations/interviews required. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

FCST314: Child Development II: Adolescence

This course uses a developmental approach to study adolescents (11-18 years). Physical, cognitive and social development throughout this age period are studied. Family, peer, race, ethnicity, socio-cultural, and environmental influences on adolescents are examined. Out-of-class interviews and/or observations are required. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 214 and PSYC 101.

FCST512: Child Development I: Theories of Child Development

This course both examines and critiques the standard theories of so-called "normative" child development along with newer contextual models that consider the role of oppressive structures in the lives of children. 3 sh.

FCST515: Child Development II: Adolescence

This course uses a developmental and ecological approach to study adolescents (11-18 years). Physical, cognitive, and social development throughout this age period are studied in terms of change within and differences between individuals. Family, peer, neighborhood, sociocultural, and political influences on adolescents are examined. The roles of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconimic status in adolescent development are like wise examined. Out-of-class observations and/or interview projects as well as an APA style research literature review or proposal paper are required. 3 sh.

MATH577: Mathematics Education in the Elementary School

The contemporary mathematics curriculum of the elementary and middle school. The role of behavioral objectives and learning theory in curriculum development/teacher training. Related research findings. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Permission of graduate program coordinator.

READ500: The Nature of Reading

Examines the foundations of reading: the nature of the reading process, readiness, beginning instruction, current practices in the teaching of reading in early childhood and elementary education, a reappraisal of the role of reading in a technological society. 3 sh.

SPCM101: Fundamentals of Speech: Communication Requirement

This course introduces students to the theoretical and practical requirements of different types of public presentations and helps students develop an understanding and appreciation of the dynamic nature of the communication process. The course focuses on the basic elements of the communication process, listening, communicator and audience characteristics, basic research skills, and message composition and delivery. Students learn about the demands of public presentations in culturally and professionally diverse environments and develop presentation competence and flexibility. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Communication, Communication. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Communication, Speaking/Listening. 3 sh.

SPED566: Language-Based Learning Strategies for Use in Inclusive Settings

This course presents an overall view of language development and language disorders as the basis for implementing instruction that attends to language-based learning difficulties. A major focus will be the development of instructional strategies that can be employed in inclusive classroom settings to promote learning across the curriculum. The use of metalinguistic and metacognitive strategies will be stressed. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 579.

SPED567: Instructional Planning for Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings I

This course is designed to provide educators with the skills necessary to meet the needs of students with disabilities in K-5 inclusive classrooms. Educators will learn how to use developmentally appropriate practice and universal design curriculum to enhance the learning of students who display competencies across a wide range. The major focus will be on practical techniques and strategies that can be used to provide quality instruction in inclusive settings. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 579.

SPED579: Special Education for Students with Disabilities

An overview of instruction for students with special needs; characteristics of special populations, federal and state legislation, educational implications of disabling conditions, principles for instruction and planning for inclusion are presented; community resources and special issues related to the education of students with disabilities are discussed. 3 sh.

SPED584: Assessment and Evaluation in the Inclusive Classroom

This course is designed to be an introduction for pre-service teachers in the field of Special Education assessment and accountability. The course will introduce students to elements of traditional assessment, including record keeping, grading, objective and essay testing, theories of validity as well as authentic, performance, and portfolio assessment. The keeping of anecdotal records, inclusion, heterogeneous groups, and accommodations will also be components of this course. 2 - 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 579 and SPED 567 or 568.

SPED585: Technology for Inclusive Classrooms

The course is designed to provide educators with an understanding of how to use technology as a seamless part of the teaching and learning experience for students with disabilities in inclusive settings. Two main purposes for students with disabilities will be emphasized. Teachers will learn how to provide access to the curriculum for students with disabilities by using the principles of Universal Design for Learning as a framework for curriculum design. They will learn how to utilize technology to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities in order for them to attain maximum independence and participation in all environments. 2 - 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 567, SPED 568.

SPED588: Promoting Prosocial Behaviors in Inclusive Settings

This course is designed to provide future teachers with theory and practice related to the development of appropriate prosocial behaviors within inclusive classroom settings for students with disabilities. This course will focus on behavior and the developmental and environmental factors that influence its expression. Emphasis will be placed on functional analysis of behavior, how to promote appropriate behavior, and how to develop a classroom setting that fosters prosocial behaviors. Principles of social/emotional learning, social skills development as well as data collection, schedules of reinforcement monitoring progress, social problem solving, and promotion of positive behavior plans will be explored. 2 - 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 579.