Education (EDUC)

EDUC 2010 Physics and Engineering for Educators — 3 credits

Most of the world we experience everyday is human made or engineered. Engineers create products from indoor plumbing to airplanes that make our lives more comfortable and convenient. This course is an introduction to the engineering concepts associated with products in your everyday life, including structures, machines and mechanisms, fluids, and electricity.

EDUC 2030 Earth and Space Science for Educators — 3 credits

Earth and space science is an integral part of the K-8 Minnesota State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. This course focuses on a hands-on, discovery learning approach to teaching and learning. Topics include understanding the nature of science, Earth’s place in the Universe, Earth structures & processes, interdependence in Earth systems, and human interactions with Earth systems. The course will also focus on the pedagogy or teaching of science content to children.

EDUC 2070W Teachers as Leaders for a Changing Society — 4 credits

In this writing-intensive course, students will examine historical and emerging issues that impact experiences of children, families, and teachers in U.S. public elementary or secondary schools. Students will learn about promoting social justice in school settings and teaching as a career choice. Up to 50 hours of fieldwork in a multicultural setting are required. Prerequisite for all education courses. Offered in the College for Women and the College for Adults. Required for elementary licensure.

EDUC 2090 General Methods: K-12, Secondary — 4 credits

In this course students will learn educational methods in six areas: planning for instruction, strategies for implementing instruction, evaluating and reporting techniques, and instructional technology. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite with concurrency: EDUC 2070W.

EDUC 2110 Foundations and Theories in Early Childhood Education — 2 credits

In this course students will study the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of early childhood education theories and practices. Students will also learn about the research of educators and child psychologists who have made significant contributions to current understanding of the young child. Theories regarding the learning modes and stages of development in the typical and atypical young child will be presented. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required. Through fieldwork experience students will make practical applications of these theories in contemporary inclusive child care programs.

EDUC 2682 Directed Study — 2 credits

EDUC 2800 General Methods: Elementary — 2 credits

In General Methods, students focus on essential elements in standards based classrooms: planning, instructional strategies, differentiated instruction, assessment and grading. This is the foundation course in educational methods. Up to 40 hours fieldwork in a multicultural setting are required. Offered in the College for Women and the College for Adults.
Prerequisite with concurrency: EDUC 2070W.

EDUC 3015 Methods and Materials in Mathematics — 4 credits

Elementary teachers are responsible for providing a learning experience in a classroom that enables students to engage in meaningful tasks in mathematics instruction. There are many facets to this learning environment of which an elementary teacher must be aware — knowledge of the discipline, planning the lesson, assessment, follow-up. This course is designed to give students an opportunity to read, discuss and design activities to enhance student learning. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisites: Admission to the major, MATH 2500.

EDUC 3030 Methods and Materials in Science — 2 credits

In this course students will learn the basic framework of instructional skills, techniques, and methods for effective science teaching, and they will explore material resources for use in the elementary science classroom. Throughout the course, students will engage in scientific inquiry and engineering practices. Additionally, students will participate in authentic elementary classroom experiences during the fieldwork portion of the course. Students will prepare and teach science lessons in their fieldwork experiences, implementing the Minnesota State Science Standards, formative assessment, academic language, and the 5E’s. Check the course schedule for fieldwork hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department, EDUC 2070W, EDUC 2800.

EDUC 3050 Methods and Materials in Social Studies — 2 credits

The goals for this course correspond with the licensure requirements for all elementary teachers in social studies with the explicit purpose of providing students with opportunities to apply fundamental social studies concepts and the connections among them in course assignments. The course content and learning activities focus on experiences designed to prepare students with competencies and skills related to tools of inquiry and problem solving. Students will use social studies as an integrating concept through an understanding of how to use the sciences, social sciences, mathematics, arts and communication in the exploration of environmental, cultural and social issues and topics. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3080 Methods and Materials in Art for Elementary Teachers — 2 credits

EDUC 3080 Methods and Materials in Art for Elementary Teachers Art is an important component of the elementary curriculum. In this course, students will learn the basic framework of instructional skills, techniques and methods of teaching and integrating art in an elementary classroom setting. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3110 Methods and Materials in Music — 1 credit

Teachers in elementary schools must be prepared to teach music to their young learners. In this course, students will learn the basic framework of instructional skills, techniques and methods of teaching and integrating music in an elementary classroom setting. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3130 Methods and Materials in Physical Education — 1 credit

Developing healthy physical habits is a lifelong disposition. In this course, students will learn the basic framework of instructional skills techniques and methods of teaching and integrating physical education in an elementary classroom setting. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3250 Focus Studies In Elementary Art Education — 2 credits

To prepare for a position as a K-12 visual arts teacher, students will examine the historical base for art education and investigate specific theories and philosophies of teaching and learning as these apply to elementary art education. Students will examine how artistic learning occurs, explore motivational and evaluative strategies and classroom management techniques. This course meets the state standards for K-12 licensure for teachers of art and is a requirement for all art education majors seeking K-12 licensure. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3290 Methods and Materials in Kindergarten Education — 2 credits

In this methods course students will study early childhood growth and development with an emphasis on the five- and six-year-old child. Students will study the child in relation to modes of learning, appropriate management and guidance strategies, and program scheduling. Students will build competency in these areas through observations and experiences that expand and make practical the knowledge and understandings gained from lectures, discussions, class assignments and fieldwork. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required. Criteria for developing effective kindergarten programs is based on these learnings and experiences.
Prerequisite with concurrency: EDUC 2800.

EDUC 3450 Literature for Young Adults — 2 credits

As a teacher of middle level and secondary students, students will study literature in a variety of genres for young adults in grades seven through 12 based on their development and interests. Students will become acquainted with transition literature and contemporary adult literature read by young adults. Students will evaluate YA literature critically and learn techniques for promoting reading. Readers’ advisory, reader response, and a student’s right to read will be emphasized with regard to free reading.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.
Corequisite: EDUC 2070W.

EDUC 3490 Literacy Methods for Teaching the Intermediate Grades — 4 credits

Literacy Methods for Teaching the Intermediate Grades is a course that explores theories, methods, and materials used to develop children’s literacy, with an emphasis on reading, writing, and speaking in grades 3 through 6. The course assumes that effective teachers of language arts are knowledgeable, literate and curious people who develop and maintain a classroom community in which they and their students learn together. Throughout the term, in traditional class meetings as well as in the field-based Literacy Lab, the learning emphasis is placed on assisting students to use listening, speaking, reading and writing for acquiring information, developing understandings, constructing responses to texts in various forms, thinking critically about language, participating in self-assessment, and developing social interactions that support learning.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Education Department, EDUC 2070W, INDI 2440, EDUC 2800.
Corequisite: EDUC 3550.

EDUC 3540 Classroom Management and Assessment Techniques — 4 credits

This course is designed to give teacher candidates a broad overview of classroom leadership and management related to creating and sustaining positive, productive learning environments. It also explores assessment practices that contribute to effective management of instruction and behavior. Recognizing the connection between assessment-informed instruction and effective classroom management, this course also explores current practices and principles of assessment across the K-6 curriculum. The characteristics and uses of both formal and informal assessment tools and strategies will be studied with an emphasis on formative assessment.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department, EDUC 2070W. Not open to first-year students.

EDUC 3550 Literacy in the Content Areas: Elementary — 2 credits

This class is designed to provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to investigate the role of literacy (reading, writing, listening and speaking) across the curriculum. Through readings, discussion, online activities, writing, and inquiry projects, students will learn about the discipline-specific demands of literacy in the content areas, in particular, how academic language supports reading comprehension and effective written communication. The course will also explore academic, personal, and social considerations that are particular to students in the upper elementary grades, including the roles of motivation, comprehension, critical thinking and assessment in teaching and learning. Required for elementary education licensure.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Education Department, EDUC 2070W, EDUC 2800, INDI 2440.
Corequisite: EDUC 3490.

EDUC 3551 Literacy in the Content Areas: Secondary — 2 credits

Literacy in the Content Areas is designed to introduce teacher candidates to theories and research-based practices that support K-12 students’ literacy development across the curriculum. The emphasis of the course is on helping teacher candidates use literacy (reading, writing, listening and speaking) as a tool to support students’ learning in every discipline, while exploring the academic, personal, and social considerations that are particular to adolescents, especially the roles of motivation, comprehension, critical thinking and assessment in teaching and learning. To this end, students in EDUC 3551 learn about basic literacy development, adolescent English language learners, effective vocabulary instruction, the role of academic language in successful reading comprehension and effective written communication, and how to integrate high-quality texts from a variety of media to create engaging, relevant learning experiences for all learners. Throughout the semester, teacher candidates study the Literacy Design Collaborative framework and create a module, based on a topic in their content area, that uses literacy as the foundation for discipline-based learning. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Education Department, EDUC 2070W, EDUC 2090.

EDUC 3650 Student Teaching Seminar — 2 credits

During student teaching, students meet to share ideas from their classrooms and extend their course learning. Particular focus is placed on developing teacher leadership. In addition, information, support and guidance in the completion of the edTPA will be provided. Taken concurrently with student teaching.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3750 Secondary Communication Arts and Literature Methods — 2 credits

This course examines best practice teaching techniques and methods for the secondary communication arts and literature classroom. Secondary Communication Arts and Literature Methods will address current trends and issues related to the discipline of language arts. It will help students identify relevant content and utilize engaging teaching strategies to promote learning in communication arts and literature. The course includes a field experience that will provide the opportunity to apply some of the strategies learned in the course. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3751 Secondary Mathematics Methods — 2 credits

This course examines best practice teaching techniques and methods for the secondary mathematics classroom. Secondary Mathematics Methods will address current trends and issues related to the discipline of mathematics. It will help students identify relevant content and utilize engaging teaching strategies to promote learning in mathematics. The course includes a field experience that will provide the opportunity to apply some of the strategies learned in the course. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3752 Secondary Science Methods — 2 credits

This course examines best practice teaching techniques and methods for the secondary science classroom. Secondary Science Methods will address current trends and issues related to the discipline of science. It will help students identify relevant content and utilize engaging teaching strategies to promote learning in science. The course includes a field experience that will provide the opportunity to apply some of the strategies learned in the course. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3753 Secondary Social Studies Methods — 2 credits

This course examines best practice teaching techniques and methods for the secondary social studies classroom. Secondary Social Studies Methods will address current trends and issues related to the broad discipline of social studies. It will help students identify relevant content and utilize engaging teaching strategies to promote learning in social studies. The course includes a field experience that will provide the opportunity to apply some of the strategies learned in the course. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3754 Secondary Family and Consumer Science Methods — 2 credits

This course examines best practice teaching techniques and methods for the secondary family and consumer science classroom. Secondary Family and Consumer Science Methods will address current trends and issues related to the broad discipline of family and consumer science. It will help students identify relevant content and utilize engaging teaching strategies to promote learning in family and consumer science. The course includes a field experience that will provide the opportunity to apply some of the strategies learned in the course. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department.

EDUC 3760 Secondary Visual Arts Methods — 2 credits

Students will gain a basic framework of instructional strategies, curriculum designs and assessment models within the discipline of visual arts, including evaluation of print and non-print resources and materials. Fieldwork required. Check the class schedule for hours required.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Education Department, EDUC 2070W, EDUC 2090, EDUC 3250.

EDUC 3780 Advanced Secondary Methods — 2 credits

This course provides advanced preparation for teaching in secondary schools. Advanced Secondary Methods will build on previous concepts and skills related to best practices for teaching and will focus on secondary instructional strategies, classroom assessment and classroom management. This course includes a field experience that will allow students the opportunity to apply classroom practices learned throughout the course.
Prerequisites: EDUC 2070W, EDUC 2090.

EDUC 3812 Student Teaching Elementary — 4-12 credits

Student teaching is the culminating experience in students' preparation to become a teacher. Students will be assigned to an elementary classroom for fourteen weeks. Student responsibilities will include lesson design and presentation, evaluation of student learning and management of daily classroom routines. Through conferences with a University supervisor and cooperating teachers in the school students will be provided with feedback and guidance about their professional progress. Seminars facilitated by the University supervising instructor will provide students with additional information as needed and appropriate. Twelve credits required. Can be taken as four credits in January and eight credits in spring semester by students also completing a middle-level endorsement; otherwise, taken as one 12-credit course.

EDUC 3912 Student Teaching Secondary — 12 credits

Student teaching is the culminating experience in students' preparation to become a teacher. Students will be assigned to a secondary classroom for fourteen weeks. Student responsibilities will include lesson design and presentation, evaluation of student learning and management of daily classroom routines. Through conferences with a University supervisor and cooperating teachers in the school students will be provided with feedback and guidance about their professional progress. Seminars facilitated by the University supervising instructor will provide students with additional information as needed and appropriate.

EDUC 4604 Internship — 4 credits

EDUC 4681 Directed Study — 1 credit

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

EDUC 4682 Directed Study — 2 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

EDUC 4951 Independent Study — 1 credit

Independent study offers students the opportunity for specialized research not covered in a course offering, by the action project or thesis. Students work with a faculty advisor to develop a learning contract, which specifies the content and objectives of the study as well as the requirements and procedures for evaluation. The amount of credit earned for the study also is included in the learning contract.
Prerequisites: Permission of the faculty and department chair or program director.