Teaching and Learning Minor
Education is best understood as an interdisciplinary social science that integrates multiple perspectives on human learning and development; life-long processes that occur in a multitude of contexts. The Teaching and Learning minor is designed, in part, for students who are interested in studying education as an academic field — the process and structure of education in both traditional school settings as well as other educational arenas of public life — but who are not necessarily interested in a career in public school teaching. Central to the minor is the examination of the relationship between education and society. This minor is designed to prepare students to make educated decisions as members of, and leaders in, their communities as well as to work with diverse populations.
The learning outcomes for the Teaching and Learning Minor include the following:
Students will:
- Have an understanding of the cultural, social, historical, legal and philosophical foundations of education.
- Be able to analyze critical issues in education from a variety of perspectives.
- Have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work with diverse populations in a variety of settings.
- Develop a commitment to professional affiliation, ethical practice, lifelong learning and continued professional growth and development.
- Demonstrate a commitment to team collaboration and advocacy.
- Hold a belief in the dignity, worth and learning potential of all individuals.
- Understand the process of human development and associated learning needs.
- Develop the pedagogical skills for designing and implementing instruction that incorporates a variety of teaching methodologies, resources, and organizational patterns.
- Develop competence in the evaluation of individual learning and reflective analysis of teaching.
- Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to create environments that facilitate learning and accommodate for the special learning needs of exceptional and culturally diverse individuals.
A minor in Teaching and Learning should contact the Chair of the Department of Education.
Required courses:
Four semester hours from the following: 4 sh
| EDU 450 | TEACHING DIVERSE LEARNERS IN MIDDLE AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS | 4 sh |
| EDU 451 | TEACHING DIVERSE LEARNERS | 4 sh |
Twelve semester hours from the following: 12 sh
| EDU 295 | RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION | 4 sh |
| EDU 298 | CHILDREN'S LITERATURE AND ARTS INTEGRATION | 4 sh |
| EDU 323 | LITERACY DEVELOPMENT I: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES | 4 sh |
| EDU 324 | LITERACY DEVELOPMENT II: STRATEGIES & INSTRUCTION FOR STRUGGLING READERS | 4 sh |
| EDU 325 | MIDDLE GRADES LITERACY | 4 sh |
| EDU 333 | SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 4 sh |
| EDU 342 | FOUNDATIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION | 4 sh |
| EDU 345 | PLANNING AND MANAGING THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATORS | 4 sh |
| EDU 355 | TEACHING IN 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOMS | 4 sh |
| EDU 441 | FOUNDATIONS OF MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION | 4 sh |
| EDU 444 | LANGUAGE AND LITERACY METHODS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 4 sh |
| EDU 467 | EARLY CHILDHOOD POLICY AND ADVOCACY | 4 sh |
| GBL 236 | INDIA: SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT | 4 sh |
| GBL 297 | MALAWI: THE WARM HEART OF AFRICA | 4 sh |
| PSY 321 | EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 sh |
EDU 323: Highly recommended for students pursuing Teach for America, Peace Corps, City Year, etc.
Total Credit Hours: 20