Course Descriptions

PSY 105 General Psychology
An introduction to the methods and principles of psychology.  Applications of psychological concepts to everyday situations are emphasized. Research participation is required.

PSY 250 Child Psychology
Theory and scientific methods of examining development and behavior. Practical implications of data and theory are stressed. (Prereq.: PSY 105 or a general psychology course)

A choice of the following two courses about families.

SOC 231 Family Systems
The term family is a universal concept, yet its membership, rituals, and functions vary dramatically across world cultures and  sub-cultures in the United States. Family systems are explored with respect to cultural and historical settings, variations among families, and modern cultural and social patterns.

Or

SPE 490 Parent and Professional Planning
This course examines the role of families of students with special needs, specifically families of students labeled with an emotional or behavioral disability.  A family systems perspective will be introduced and applied to understand the complexity of the family and their impact on students with disabilities.  The course will focus on family-centered interventions and home-school partnerships.  It requires that students reflect on their own experiences as family members, challenge their assumptions about diversity as it applies to families, and develop skills to build partnerships with families.  We will also examine the need to form strong connections with community agencies working with families.

Cohort Courses within one Academic Year

ECE 345/545 Foundations of Preprimary Education
Students gain understanding about philosophical, theoretical, historical, pedagogical, societal, and institutional foundations of preprimary education.  Attention is given to efforts of modern programs to adapt instruction to developmental levels and experience backgrounds of young children and to work in partnership with parents and other social service agencies.  Field experience (20 hours) is a critical part of this course.

ECE 346/546 Learning Environments for Preprimary Children
Students gain an understanding of how to recognize and construct, developmentally appropriate pedagogy and practice.  Attention is given to the integration of literacy within the classroom environment; importance of learning through play; using different assessments of the classroom environment, student performance and program evaluation; classroom management strategies; etc.   Field experience (20 hours) is a critical part of this course.

ECE 347/547 Immersion and Pedagogical Competence
Students gain an understanding of how to deliver developmentally appropriate instruction and experiences. Field experience (40 hours) is a critical part of this course.

ECE Student Teaching (3 courses) 7 weeks in Preprimary (ECE 488, 489) or Kindergarten and 7 weeks in a grade 1-6.