Special Education and ESL

Emphasizes the recursive writing process through appropriate determination of subject, audience, purpose, and style, with correct usage of grammar, punctuation, and logical organization. Students will use appropriate technologies for writing and learning.

Emphasizes intellectual and analytical reasoning through reading and writing assignments. Includes instruction in library and research technologies and the writing of a research project.

A study of the principles and practices of effective human communication, with emphasis placed on public speaking. The course emphasizes the critical thinking and skill development necessary for effective speech. Listening skills are included in the study.

Provides the student with a basic understanding of his or her economic environment and the basic principles and tools of personal financial management. Emphasis will be placed on personal financial planning, including budgeting, managing personal debt, insurance, taxes, investments, and real estate. When possible, topics will be analyzed and discussed from a Christian perspective.

Designed to assist the student in their understanding and development of a healthy lifestyle. Emphasis is placed on the components and behaviors that promote lifelong, positive outcomes in the five dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual. Includes a fitness laboratory component. Fee charged.

A study of biological concepts including the chemistry of life, principles of inheritance, evolutionary theories, biological organization of various organisms, and relationships between organisms and their environment. Issues related to current advances in biotechnology and medicine are also considered. The process of scientific inquiry is emphasized and practiced in both the lecture and laboratory. Fee charged.

Designed to convey the nature of matter and methods of study in the physical sciences and to study physical science concepts; issues and values related to the well-being of individuals, society and the environment are considered. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.

Designed to engage students in dialogue with a variety of Western and Non-Western world literature, past and present. ENG 2000 is a recommended prerequisite for all upper-level literature courses.

An introduction to Biblical faith and literature designed to help the student acquire a knowledge of the basic content of Scripture as well as be able to employ basic Bible study skills.

An introduction to theology as it has developed in the history of the church with a view to understanding the relation between faith and life. Special attention is given to understanding the doctrine of holiness.

An integration of Christian spirituality, life, and ministry. Through a wide variety of readings and experiences, care is given to evaluate the spiritual structure of the student and to understand spiritual gifts, disciplines, and what it means for each individual to be a constructive influence in the Church and society.

Designed to give students a historical perspective of music, art, sculpture, and architecture from ancient times to modern times.

Considers the realm of mathematics as some of the greatest ideas of humankind-ideas comparable to the works of Shakespeare, Plato, and Michelangelo. This course will introduce students to several of these ideas, selected from topics in numerical patterns, infinity, geometry, topology, chaos, probability, and statistics. Study of these topics will not only demonstrate the beauty of mathematics but will also develop critical thinking skills. This course is designed for liberal arts majors to satisfy the general education requirement.

Current approaches, methodologies, techniques, and materials for teaching English language learners primarily in K-12 setting. Designed to provide theoretical and practical experience in language acquisition. Fee charged. Course includes 10 hours of field experience in ESL classrooms, which must include a 6-12 setting.

Explores human growth and development over the life span to understand the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels: physically, emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally. Designed to provide the developmental approach to cognition in children and adolescents within the context of major learning theories. Brain research, learning modalities, and metacognition are also examined.

Provides observation and participation in a public school. Field study is completed in the following areas: classroom observation, classroom material preparation, and classroom interactions to enhance the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required of educators. The requirements for entering the Teacher Education Program are part of the course. Graded S-U.

Surveys the historical, social, philosophical, and psychological foundations of the American school system with emphasis on an introduction to the teaching profession. Designed to be the first course taken in the teacher education program. Taken in conjunction with EDU 1020.

Provides an overview of the diverse educational needs, challenges, opportunities, and rewards that teachers encounter as they seek to effectively meet the needs of learners in urban schools. Students explore the history of public schools in urban areas, the characteristics of the urban child, as well as effective teaching strategies for working with students who are identified as "at risk" as well as English Second Language (ESL) students. This course addresses the competencies, tools. and instructional strategies to effectively create positive classroom environments and assist in student achievement. The course includes a 10-hour field experience for Education majors in a low socioeconomic, ethnically/racially diverse, preferably ESL school setting. Any non-Education major may complete the field experience requirement through volunteering in a number of alternative settings such as private agencies, and businesses whose primary focus is working in urban communities with children and their families identified as "at-risk." The alternative settings listed would be an acceptable environment to address the course learning outcomes. This course is an option for any student exploring choices in meeting the Intercultural Literacy requirement.

Focuses on the application and analysis of knowledge and teaching skills in the classroom, lesson and unit planning, classroom management, discipline models, and current professional issues. Taken in conjunction with enhanced student teaching. Permission required.

A prerequisite for Enhanced Student Teaching. This course provides the candidate with experiences in preparation, procedures, implementation, and submittal of required edTPA documentation for initial licensure. Permission required. Graded S/U.

Designed to assist the future teacher in developing an understanding of the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development; the continuum of health and how it interrelates with academic performance. Prevention of disease, first aid, CPR, choking, drug abuse, current health issues, and healthcare agencies are presented to increase the potential teacher's awareness in assisting students in all areas of their lives which affect their academic success.

This course examines the currently used models of ESL instruction from a variety of school boards and regions from across the country. Students are expected to not only understand the differences in models and methods but to also understand the implications for effective language learning. Fee charged. Course includes 10 hours of field experience in ESL classrooms, which must include a PreK-5 setting.

This course examines the differences between language proficiency assessment for placing and evaluation of language demonstration and use. Candidates are expected to understand the various methods of assessment and evaluation for ESL instructors as well as create samples of assessment and evaluation strategies. Fee charged.

Designed to provide some insight into the nature of mathematics by examining various mathematical structures. Topics include the development of the real number system, conventional and unconventional algorithms including working in different bases, elementary number theory, algebraic reasoning, data analysis, probability, geometry, and measurement. Critical thinking, writing, and problem solving will be emphasized.

Focuses on media and specific technologies appropriate to teachers in the educational setting, both for instructional purposes and administrative tasks. Includes exposure to and use of various equipment, materials, and software, including Internet and Office. Computer-assisted instruction and management techniques are presented.

This course focuses on effective instructional methods and curriculum models for K-5 teachers. Best practices in creating diverse, enthusiastic learning environments and writing lesson plans are explored to meet the needs of ALL students, including but not limited to “at risk” and English Second Language (ESL) students. Using data to inform instruction is addressed as part of the planning component. Fee charged. A 20-hour field experience is required in diverse school settings, specifically with ESL students.

The course focuses on the integration of reading and writing instruction throughout the K-5 curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the objectives, developmental skills, materials, techniques, and the processes of assessing, diagnosing, and correcting reading and writing skills. Instruction includes a holistic view of literacy development. A clinical field experience of 20 hours in both diagnosis and remediation in an elementary school is required. At least 10 hours must be completed in an ESL classroom setting. Fee charged.

Provides an overview of the technology used to provide access to the curriculum for students in general-education settings and special-education settings. Various systems of technology will be discussed with a focus on the appropriate uses, implementation, and overall understanding of the tools available to students needing intervention services.

Focuses on core concepts in special education interventions, including law, procedures, conceptual approaches, data gathering and analysis, constructing IEPs, facilitating IEP meetings, documenting progress and modifications for local and state assessments. A general introductory methods course which is prerequisite for all professional core SPED courses. Field experience is incorporated in this course.

Focuses on individualized diagnostic testing and interpretation of psychological evaluations, universal screenings, and progress monitoring as related to instructional planning and eligibility. Basic steps in test administration are reviewed for various major published tests as well as curriculum based or classroom testing methods to document or determine current level of performance. Basic steps of the RTI process will also be discussed. Test administration and scoring is performed.

Defines the various aspects of core content instruction and environmental structure in elementary and middle school settings for exceptional learners with mild to moderate disabilities. Strategies to document and modify social, emotional, communication, behavioral and academic areas are addressed. A focus on differentiation, scaffolding, and determining appropriate accommodations based on student strengths will be addressed. A ten-hour field experience is required.

Explores effective methods for collaborating with families, colleagues and related service providers are defined and examined. Discusses the role an interventionist plays in assisting data teams and alignment of interventions to the specific needs of the student. Assistive technology, transition planning, various technology programs, medical plans and the resources needed to assess these areas are explored. A ten-hour field experience is required.

Explores classroom management strategies specific to students with mild to moderate disabilities. Special consideration for the function, measurement and documentation of specific behaviors and program development will be presented. Social skills training, de-escalation, re-direction, medical aspects and research-based strategies will be presented. A 10 hour field experience is required.

Investigates the nature and causes of reading disabilities. Focuses on using formal and informal assessments to diagnose areas of reading difficulties. Procedures of remediation based on data collection are also discussed.

Provides strategies for special educators to assess, analyze, and remediate mathematical deficits of students with disabilities. Methods of data collection, decision making, and instruction are also discussed.

Consists of full-day classroom observation and practice teaching in the major curricular area in two public schools. Special Education Interventionist K-8 candidates will have placements in elementary grades K-4 and middle grades 5-8. Required as the culminating experience for all who are seeking licensure. Graded S-U. Permission required.