2004-05 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
 

Department of Professional Studies in Education

College of Education and Educational Technology

Credit designation below each title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (cr) credits per semester.

Note: Courses in Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6 are restricted to majors with a 2.5 cumulative GPA, except with departmental permission.
 

ECED 180 Orientation to the ECED/ELED Program

1c-01-1cr
Prerequisite: Declared Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6 or Elementary Education major
Familiarizes students with the professional development school communities in which they will become involved and to provide an overview of the Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6/Elementary Education teacher certification program of study. Taught Spring semester only. 

ECED 200 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

3c-01-3cr
Prerequisite: Admission to the Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6 Program
Introduces prospective teachers to the historical, sociological, and political aspects of early childhood education. Emphasizes appreciating diversity in the early childhood classroom and on developing keen observation strategies to both heighten understanding of children and evaluate programs that serve them. Five hours of service learning are required.  

ECED 220 Children’s Literature to Enhance Emergent and Beginning Reading 

3c-01-3cr
Prerequisite: Admission to the Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6 Program
Focuses on the study of young children’s acquisition of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and the importance of a developmentally appropriate and effective language arts curriculum for young children. Emphasizes strategies for developing children’s literacy skills and integrating children’s literature throughout the early childhood curriculum. Observations, interviews, and teaching experiences are an integral part of the course. Seven hours of service learning are required. Offered as a writing-intensive course.  

ECED 280 Maximizing Learning

3c-01-3cr
Prerequisite: Admission to Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6 Program
Furthers an understanding of the organization and management of functional learning environments and the use of curriculum development principles and strategies to design, implement, and evaluate educationally sound and developmentally effective learning experiences for young children.  

ECED 281 Special Topics

var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 281 are offered primarily for lower-level undergraduate students.  

ECED 310 Science and Health in the Literacy-based Early Childhood Curriculum

3c-01-3cr
Prerequisite: Admission to the Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6 Program
Emphasizes the need for high-quality, meaningful science and health experiences in early childhood, across a developmental curriculum. Teaches how to provide young children with unique opportunities to explore phenomena, use skills of scientific inquiry, cultivate scientific dispositions, and build a foundation for understanding core scientific and health concepts.

ECED 314 Creative Experiences to Enhance Literacy Acquisition

3c-01-3cr
Prerequisite: Admission to the Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6 Program
Provides the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate creative music, art, movement, and play activities into the comprehensive early childhood curriculum. Integration of creative experiences designed to enhance literacy acquisition will be emphasized, as well the historical, theoretical, and research base for the integration of creative experiences into the curriculum. Students engage in supervised field experiences during which they will engage preschool students in literacy-focused creative experiences. Eight hours of service learning focusing on early literacy acquisition are required.
  

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ECED 451 Teaching Primary Reading

3c-0l-3cr
A methods course to assist in developing the reading abilities of young children. Deals with instructional issues related to teaching reading and introduces students to varying reading and pre-reading processes which are effective with young children. Also emphasizes diagnostic and assessment strategies for teaching reading.  

ECED 480 Professional Seminar: Teacher as Researcher and Advocate

1c-01-1cr
Prerequisites: Admission to student teaching; enrollment limited to Early Childhood Education/PreK-Grade 6 Program majors. Must be taken in conjunction with EDUC 441.
Provides ongoing support related to candidates’ work in early childhood classrooms. Conducts a rudimentary action research project focused on literacy acquisition, engages in informed advocacy efforts for young children and the profession, and examines the theoretical and research base for multicultural and anti-bias educational practices.   

ECED 481 Special Topics

var-3cr
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
A course/seminar on topics in education appropriate for the Early Childhood Education setting.  

ECED 482 Independent Study

var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
Students with interest in independent study of a topic not offered in the curriculum may propose a plan of study in conjunction with a faculty member. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.

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