Rockhurst University | Learning, Leadership and Service in the Jesuit Tradition

ED 1320 Multicultural Clinical Experience and Analysis of Instruction Instruction (3) Students spend over 25 percent of the allotted course time in actual school settings acquiring firsthand classroom experience. On-campus sessions develop students' ability to analyze and to set these experiences into a broader context in order to come to a fuller understanding of the schooling process and the role it plays in social reproduction and change. Students are encouraged to take the College BASE exam after this course and to apply to the Department of Education.

ED 2500 Curriculum and Instruction in Health and Physical Education (2) This course examines the goals and methods of elementary and middle school health and physical education. Students will look at the role of health education in today's society and the need for a coordinated health education program in schools. Students will also construct, teach and evaluate a short unit in health education.

PYED 3010 Educational Psychology (3) Students consider psychological theories of learning and relate them to classroom practice. Particular attention is paid to the changing needs of learners from the early childhood through adolescent periods of development. Students are introduced to educational research, standardized testing, classroom management, motivation, and writing learning objectives. Classroom observations are required. Prerequisite: PY 1000.

PYED 3020 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child (3) This course provides an introduction to special education populations and examines the effect of different handicapping conditions on learning. Methods of diagnosis and adaptation/accommodation of instructional methods are presented through case studies, observations and empirical research. Though the major focus of the course is on disabilities, attention is given to the needs of the gifted student as well. Classroom observations of diverse populations are required. Fulfills state certification requirements for teacher education. Prerequisite: PY 1000.

ED 3080 Integrating the Curriculum through the Arts (3) Students consider the curriculum needs of children in preschool to grade 6 as they develop interdisciplinary lessons that also involve a variety of art mediums, music, movement and drama. This course is designed to make the multicultural experience easily accessible to teachers. Dances and music are drawn from the folk traditions of African-Am eric ans, Anglo-Am eric ans and Hispanic-Am eric ans, and Asian-Am eric ans as well as Native Am eric ans. This course meets certification standards. Celebrate the diversity of our nation through the arts.

ED 3100 Teaching Elementary School Mathematics (3) Students explore and practice varied approaches of teaching elementary school mathematics. In order to develop the ability to evaluate and create math curriculum, students compile a unit of instruction in mathematics. Integration of math into the total elementary school curriculum is emphasized. Areas to be covered include objectives and evaluation of math education, learning theory as it is related to math, major concepts and alternate approaches to instruction. There is an emphasis on the use of concrete learning aids and practical experience in local elementary school classrooms. This course requires non-credit field placement experience.

ED 3150 Teaching Middle and Secondary School Mathematics (3) This course examines the goals, principles and procedures of mathematics education in secondary schools. Guided by the NCTM standards, the course examines current practice and emerging trends in secondary mathematics education. Special emphasis is placed on mathematics as a problem solving activity. Issues of successful teaching and learning for a broad range of math learners are addressed. This class requires non-credit field placement experience.

ED 3200 Teaching Elementary School Science (3) This course examines the goals, principles and procedures of science education in elementary schools. Science is examined as both a process and product. Students examine the roles of developing students' science process skills and understanding of the nature of science as these issues relate to teaching science for concept attainment. The role of science-technology-society connections in science education is emphasized. Issues of successful teaching and learning for a broad range of science learners are addressed. This class requires non-credit field placement experience.

ED 3250. Teaching Middle and Secondary School Science (3) This course examines the goals, principles and procedures of science education in secondary schools. Science is examined as both process and product. Students examine the roles of developing students' science process skills and understanding of the nature of science as these issues relate to teaching science for concept attainment. The role of science-technology-society connections in science education is emphasized. Issues of successful teaching and learning for a broad range of science learners are addressed. This class requires non-credit field placement experience.

ED 3300 Teaching Elementary School Social Studies (3) Students explore and analyze a variety of issues in and approaches to the teaching of elementary school social studies. The development, experience and assessment of curriculum, teaching materials and learning activities are emphasized. Students gain teaching experience through on-campus demonstrations and teaching in local school classrooms. Students prepare a social studies unit of instruction in order to develop the ability to create and evaluate social studies curriculum. This course requires non-credit field placement experience.

ED 3350 Teaching Middle and Secondary School Social Studies (3) Students explore and analyze a variety of issues in and approaches to the teaching of middle and secondary school social studies. The development and assessment of curriculum, teaching materials and learning activities are emphasized. Students gain teaching experience through on-campus demonstrations and teaching in local school classrooms. Students prepare a social studies unit of instruction in order to develop the ability to create and evaluate social studies curriculum. This course requires non-credit field placement experience.

PYED 3430 Adolescent Psychology (3) The developmental tasks of adolescence are explored, including puberty, identity formation, the influence of peers, schools, self-esteem, and problem behaviors. Cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development are examined. Emphasis is placed on theory and research as sources of knowledge. Current educational applications are investigated. Prerequisite: PY 1000 and sophomore standing (or consent of instructor).

ED 3450 Literature in the Classroom (3) This course provides a survey of children and young adult literature and aims at expanding levels of literacy for prospective teachers and their students. Students consider the history and development of literature for young people by reading widely in this rich contemporary and classical body of work. Particular attention is given to the application of criteria for selection and evaluation of this literature for use in the classroom. The link between censorship and alternative views of childhood and youth is explored. Various genres within this category of literature are considered.

ED 3750. General Methods of Teaching Middle and Secondary School Subjects (3) Through curriculum development, microteaching and field placement experiences, students will examine the principles and practices of teaching subject areas in middle and secondary schools. Students will examine the DESE standards in their subject area and become familiar with research as well as current and emerging practice in secondary education. Emphasis is placed on developing a range of teaching strategies to assist teachers in meeting the needs of the diverse learners in today's schools.

ED 3760 Teaching Middle and Secondary School English (3) Students examine the principles and practices of teaching English at the middle and secondary school level, including curriculum and instructional methods. To create and evaluate curriculum, students develop a unit of instruction in English. This course requires non-credit field placement experience.

ED 3770 Teaching Foreign Language (3) Students examine the recent findings of linguists, psycholinguists, sociolinguists, cognitive psychologists and educational theorists in curriculum and motivation relative to second language learning. The student appraises methods of foreign language teaching at K-12 level as they relate to proficiency in listening, reading, writing and speaking, and critically analyzes existing methods and gives rationale for selection of a preferred method. Additionally, the student works with a practicing professional at a school site. This course requires non-credit field placement experience.

ED 3850 Teaching Secondary School Business Education (3) Students explore and analyze a variety of approaches to the teaching of business education courses at the high school level. A major focus is upon the development of curriculum, teaching materials and learning activities appropriate to the business education curriculum. The integration of business education into the total school curriculum is also emphasized and experience is provided through on-campus demonstrations and visits to local school classrooms. Students develop an original plan of study for one of the business education areas during the course of the semester and they develop the ability to create and evaluate curriculum. The course requires non-credit field placement experience.

ED 4010 (ED 6010) Foundations of Education (3) The purpose of this course is to highlight the interpretive, normative, and critical perspectives on education. Construing education broadly to include both school and non-school enterprises, the course aims to deepen students' awareness of the social context and social implications of various educational activities. The course draws largely from the disciplinary lenses provided by the social sciences and the humanities, encouraging students to develop their capacities to examine, understand, and evaluate educational policies and practices. (This course also meets the required Foundations of Education course for students in the communication sciences and disorders program.)

ED 4020 (ED 6020) Fundamentals of Literacy Learning (3) This course examines the process of lifelong literacy from birth to adulthood. In-depth reading and writing instruction on strategies used by proficient readers are developed to help students gain success in their meaning-making ability and to become linguistically empowered. Diverse forms of literacy are investigated. An inquiry based approach to content areas focuses on using the four language cueing systems to transact meaning by reading, writing, speaking, listening, mediating, and viewing. This approach is presented within the context of how to build a community of literate learners in today's society through a literature-rich reader's and writer's workshop. ( This course also meets the required reading course for students in the communication sciences and disorders program. ) Concurrently with ED 4021 for Elementary Education majors only.

ED 4021 Literacy Practicum (1) Students focus on assessing and teaching various reading/writing instructional strategies through a supervised classroom experience. Classroom opportunities for developing and implementing appropriate literacy activities with individual, small, and large groups are incorporated. Preservice teachers receive on-going guidance in the components of their reading curriculum, e.g., independent reading, guided reading, book talks, word study, and reading aloud. Concurrently with ED 4020 for Elementary Education majors only.

ED 4030 (ED 6030) Technology and Education: Applications and Implications (3) This course introduces students to the practical applications of computer technology in education. Students will develop proficiency with a wide range of software applications and examine and evaluate educational software programs. Emphasis is placed on the use of the Internet in the classroom. Students will also examine emerging information technologies that show promise in the field of education and explore how these technologies might be of assistance in meeting the needs of diverse learners. Students will examine the requirements for the pre-service electronic teacher education portfolio and use software programs to create the framework for their portfolio.

ED 4400 Assessing Literacy Development and Teaching Struggling Readers (3) Students learn to assess literacy development of elementary grade students using a variety of authentic assessment techniques, including informal reading inventories, retellings, running records, and miscue analysis. They also evaluate standardized and criterion referenced tests for reading and language arts in elementary grades. Students learn how and when to use instructional strategies to help elementary grade students develop fluency, comprehension, and word analysis strategies (including phonics) in appropriate contexts. Prerequisite: ED 4020 and ED 4021. Concurrently: ED 4411.

ED 4411 Practicum in Assessing Literacy Development and Teaching Struggling Readers (2) Students engage in continuous assessment and diagnostic teaching with struggling readers in small, guided reading groups. Instructional strategies to develop fluency, and to use strategies for word analysis and comprehension are taught in context of reading leveled texts. Concurrently: ED 4400.

ED 4600 Teaching the Language Arts (3) Students receive both a theoretical and practical background in language learning and its connections to literacy acquisition. The course focuses on the elements in a language arts program. Particular emphasis is placed on integrating language arts into the total elementary school curriculum by examining the process of developing effective communication skills and integrating content areas. Students develop a unit of study that addresses the development of children's language and thinking skills, written communication and grammar, listening and speaking skills, spelling and handwriting. This course requires non-credit field placement experience that provides for implementation and assessment of the student's unit.

ED 4800 Student Teaching in the Elementary School (10) Students serve as interns in local elementary schools and work closely with cooperating teachers and university mentors for fourteen weeks to experience first-hand the responsibility for planning and implementing instruction. Students initially observe, and then gradually assume responsibility for all classroom activities. Applications must be made by October 1 for student teaching in the following spring semester and by March 1 for student teaching in the following fall semester. The course is part of the Professional Semester. Corequisite: ED 4900. Fee.

ED 4840 Student Teaching in the Middle School (10) Students serve as interns in local middle schools and work closely with cooperating teachers to experience firsthand the responsibility for planning and implementing instruction. Application must be made by September 15 for student teaching in the following spring semester and by February 15 for student teaching in the following fall semester. This course is part of the Professional Semester. Corequisite: ED 4900. Fee.

ED 4850 Student Teaching in the Secondary School (10) Students serve as interns in local secondary schools and work closely with cooperating teachers and university mentors for fourteen weeks to experience first-hand the responsibility for planning and implementing instruction in their major content field. Students initially observe, and then gradually assume responsibility for all classroom activities. Applications must be made by September 15 for student teaching in the following spring semester and by February 15 for student teaching in the following fall semester. The course is part of the Professional Semester. Concurrently: ED 4900. Fee.

ED 4900 Integrative Student Teaching Seminar: Classroom Planning, Management, and Assessment (4) This course is taken in conjunction with the student teaching experience. Here a range of problems encountered by teachers (e.g., classroom management, authentic and standardized assessment, planning issues, professional ethics, etc.) are explored in a seminar setting. Corequisite: ED 4800, ED 4840, or ED 4850.

GE 3300 Introduction to Human Geography (3) This course focuses on the basic concepts and skills of human geography. Interactions between people and their environments are studied as are the spatial locations and interrelationships of human institutions. The development of map skills and communication skills is emphasized.