Education Courses
EDU 200: Foundations of Education (3)
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the issues relating to American public education in the 21st century. Students are introduced to information about teaching strategies and school policy upon which future courses can build. Emphasis is given to school efforts to create environments which promote equity and excellence within a multicultural system. Required for teacher licensure in Virginia.
EDU 201: Practicum: Foundation of Education (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail; Corequisite: EDU 200. This practicum is designed to provide an experience observing and participating in a primary or secondary classroom. Additionally, a forum is provided for discussion of issues in education such as classroom management, differentiation, standardized curriculum and more. With these topics in mind, students challenge and refine beliefs as they spend time in a classroom. Working closely with a supervising teacher is invaluable to meeting the goals of this course. To meet the course requirements, students must complete 24 hours of fieldwork during the term.
EDU 250: Human Growth and Development (3)
An introduction to human development. Emphasis is on life span processes within physical, emotional, cognitive, social, personality, and moral development. Major concepts, theories, and principles of child and adolescent development as applied to school learning are covered.
EDU 302: Teaching the Exceptional Learner (3)
Prerequisite EDU 200 or permission of the instructor. This course addresses education for exceptional individuals by examining the key issues surrounding instruction for children and adolescents with disabilities or special talents. Students study the identification, etiology, and incidence of exceptionality. Through case-study review and individual research projects, students investigate the educational, social, and cultural dimensions of life in American society for exceptional individuals. Required for teacher licensure in Virginia.
EDU 303: Practicum: The Exceptional Learner (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 302. This practicum reinforces the content of EDU 302 by providing students with an opportunity to explore special education in the field through observing and assisting in inclusive classrooms and special classes. Students also study the relationship between general-education and special-education teachers.
EDU 305: Teaching Elementary Reading (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 200 or permission of the instructor. This course prepares students to teach reading in the elementary classroom. Participants will develop an understanding of the reading process, consider theories of reading instruction, examine current research in reading development and investigate elements of a balanced literacy program. Strategies for teaching word study, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and spelling will be studied for each developmental reading stage. Students will also examine formal and informal diagnostic techniques and instructional procedures for dealing with various types of reading difficulties.
EDU 306: Practicum: Teaching Elementary Reading (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail (SVU). Corequisite: EDU 305. This practicum course provides students with the opportunity to observe and practice reading methods used in elementary education. To meet the course requirements, students must complete 30 hours of fieldwork during the term.
EDU 310: Art for Elementary Education (2)
Prerequisite: EDU 200 or permission of the instructor. This course is intended to introduce students to some of the basic educational theories and methods used for guides for teaching art to children. The emphasis is on art as an experience for children that facilitates their self-expression, growth, and development. We discuss the supportive role of the teacher as well as developing, administering, and evaluating an art program. Developing meaningful art lesson plans with the implementation of Virginia Standards of Learning is a major objective of this course. Throughout the course, we focus on safety issues regarding art materials in a classroom environment.
EDU 315: Music and Movement for Elementary Education (2)
Prerequisite: EDU 200 or permission of the instructor. A study of the variety of media related to music and movement appropriate for preschool and elementary school children. Topics covered include the nature and analysis of music and movement, teaching strategies and techniques, and development and implementation of lesson plans which include the Virginia Standards of Learning and the Foundation Blocks for Early Learning.
EDU 330: Elementary and General Music Methods (3)
This course includes methodologies for teaching music in the classroom (Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze approaches), computer applications. music textbooks. and classroom materials for music education in the elementary and general music classroom. This course also includes the study of learning theories appropriate to elementary-aged music students combined with applications in practical lesson plans.
EDU 331: Elementary and General Music Methods Practicum (1)
Graded Pass/Fail. An introduction to the teacher’s role in instructional settings. Class sessions focus on techniques for observing and recording classroom behavior, relationships between the teaching of reading and the teaching of music, and planning music instruction. Students must complete a placement in an elementary music setting. To meet the course requirements, students must complete 30 hours of fieldwork during the term. May be taken for a second credit if a different placement is completed.
EDU 335: Secondary Vocal Methods (3)
Secondary Vocal Music Methods focuses on techniques, pedagogy, classroom management, literature, and other skills necessary to become an effective middle school or high school vocal/choral teacher.
EDU 337: Practicum: Secondary Vocal Methods (1) Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 335 Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 335. An introduction to the teacher’s role in instructional settings. Includes music observations and hands-on experiences public schools. Class sessions focus on observing and recording classroom behavior, relationships between the teaching of reading and the teaching of music, and planning music instruction. Students must complete a placement on the middle or secondary level. To meet the course requirements, students must complete 30 hours of fieldwork during the term.
EDU 336: Secondary Instrumental Methods (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 200 or consent of the instructor. This course includes methodologies for teaching instrumental music in the secondary classroom environment. Emphasis will be placed on the music selection process, the day-to-day administration of a secondary instrumental music program, learning theories applicable to secondary students, and current research in the field of secondary instrumental music education.
EDU 337: Practicum: Secondary Instrumental Methods (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 336. An introduction to the teacher’s role in instructional settings. Includes music observations and hands-on experiences public schools. Class sessions focus on observing and recording classroom behavior, relationships between the teaching of reading and the teaching of music, and planning music instruction. Students must complete a placement on the secondary level. To meet the course requirements, students must complete 30 hours of fieldwork during the term.
EDU 340: Elementary Language Arts and Social Studies Methods (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 200 or permission of the instructor. This course prepares students to teach language arts and social studies in the elementary classroom. Participants develop an understanding of the theories of language arts and social studies instruction and examine current research in language arts and social studies instruction. Students learn strategies for direct instruction and group learning to meet the needs of learners at different stages of development. Students also learn how to plan and prepare lessons while managing the learning environment of the classroom.
EDU 341: Practicum: Elementary Language Arts and Social Studies Methods (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 340. This practicum reinforces the content of EDU 340. This observation and participation in area schools gives the students the opportunity to carry out instructional techniques and examine language arts and social studies instruction in an authentic environment.
EDU 343: Elementary Math and Science Methods (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 200 or permission of the instructor. This course prepares students to teach mathematics and science in the elementary classroom. Participants develop an understanding of the theories of mathematics and science instruction and examine current research in inquiry-based mathematics and science instruction. Students learn strategies for direct instruction and group learning to meet the needs of learners at different stages of development. Students also learn how to plan and prepare lessons while managing the learning environment of the math and science classroom.
EDU 344: Practicum: Elementary Math and Science Methods (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 343. This practicum reinforces the content of EDU 343. This observation and participation in area schools gives the students the opportunity to carry out instructional techniques and examine mathematics and science instruction in an authentic environment.
EDU 353: Middle and Secondary Content Area Reading and Writing (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 200 or permission of the instructor. In this course, students examine research on adolescent literacy and study instructional strategies for secondary content area subjects. Students examine how literacy can be developed through specific strategies in the content area classroom. Specifically, the course highlights methods for incorporating reading and writing across the curriculum through content-based reading and writing activities, questioning and discussion techniques, vocabulary exercises, and research-based study techniques.
EDU 354: Practicum: Middle and Secondary Content Area Reading and Writing (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 353. This practicum reinforces the content of EDU 353 and provides students with an opportunity to teach several lessons they have designed. To meet the course requirements, students must complete 30 hours of fieldwork during the term.
EDU 356: Methods for Middle and Secondary Education (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 200 or permission of the instructor. In this course, participants develop an understanding of theories of instruction and examine current research in secondary instruction. Students learn strategies for direct instruction and group learning to meet the needs of learners at different stages of development. Students also learn how to plan and prepare lessons while managing the learning environment of the classroom.
EDU 357: Practicum: Methods for Middle and Secondary Education (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 356. This practicum reinforces the content of EDU 356. It provides students with an opportunity to observe and participate in secondary school instruction in an authentic environment. To meet the course requirements, students must complete 30 hours of fieldwork during the term.
EDU 365: Methods for World Language (3) Prerequisite: EDU 200 or permission of the instructor, or participation in the ESOL program. This course prepares students to teach foreign language in elementary and secondary classrooms. Participants develop an understanding of theories of foreign-language pedagogy and examine current research in foreign-language instruction. Students learn strategies for direct instruction and group learning to meet the needs of learners at different stages of development. Students also learn how to plan and prepare lessons while managing the learning environment of the classroom.
EDU 366: Practicum: Methods for World Language (1-2)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Corequisite: EDU 365. This practicum reinforces the content of EDU 365. It provides students with an opportunity to observe and participate in foreign-language instruction in an authentic environment. To meet the course requirements, students must complete 30 hours of fieldwork during the term. May be taken for a second credit if a different placement is completed.
EDU 490: Directed Teaching Seminar: PreK-12 (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all requirements for teacher licensure. Corequisite: 493. This directed-teaching seminar is designed for students seeking licensure in the area of PreK-12 education. Students meet weekly in a 90-minute seminar. The focus of the seminar is on developing a portfolio that reflects each student’s behavioral management plan, educational philosophy, curriculum design experience and fieldwork experience.
EDU 491: Directed Teaching Seminar: Elementary (PreK-6) (1)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all requirements for teacher licensure. Corequisite: 494. This directed-teaching seminar is designed for students seeking licensure in the area of elementary. Students meet weekly in a 90-minute seminar. The focus of the seminar is on developing a portfolio that reflects each student’s behavioral management plan, educational philosophy, curriculum design experience and fieldwork experience.
EDU 492: Directed Teaching Seminar: Middle & Secondary (1) Graded: Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all requirements for teacher licensure. Corequisite: 495. This directed-teaching seminar is designed for students seeking licensure in the area of middle & secondary education. Students meet weekly in a 90-minute seminar. The focus of the seminar is on developing a portfolio that reflects each student’s behavioral management plan, educational philosophy, curriculum design experience and fieldwork experience.
EDU 493: Directed Teaching: PreK-12 (11)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all requirements for licensure except directed teaching. Corequisite: 490. This directed-teaching experience is designed for students seeking licensure in the area of PreK-12 education. Students participate in designated field settings for a minimum of 12 or 14 weeks. Specific activities are conducted within these settings to demonstrate competencies necessary for licensure. On-site supervision is provided to the student in a Spanish placement at least four times during the term of the placement. Music Vocal or Instrumental PreK-12 students must complete two seven-week placements; three observations per placement are completed for their directed teaching experience.
EDU 494: Directed Teaching: Elementary (PreK-12) (11)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all requirements for teacher licensure except directed teaching. Corequisite: 491. This directed-teaching experience is designed for students seeking licensure in the area of elementary education. Students participate in designated field settings for a minimum of 12 weeks. Specific activities are conducted within these settings to demonstrate competencies necessary for licensure. On-site supervision is provided to the student at least four times during the term of placement.
EDU 495: Directed Teaching: Middle & Secondary (11)
Graded: Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all requirements for licensure except directed teaching. Corequisite: EDU 492. This directed-teaching experience is designed for students seeking licensure in the area of middle & secondary education. Students participate in designated field settings for a minimum of weeks. Specific activities are conducted within these settings to demonstrate competencies necessary for licensure. On-site supervision is provided to the student at least four times during the term of the placement. Four observations per placement are completed for their directed teaching experience.