Alma College: Courses

EDC 142a.	Children's Literature I: Pre-K to Early Elementary
	2 credits

Survey of prose and poetry suitable for preschool and early elementary children. Either 142a or b required for elementary certification. Includes supervised work with children.
EDC 142b.	Children's Literature II: Middle Elementary to Middle School
	2 credits

Survey of prose and poetry suitable for middle elementary children and young adolescents. Either 142a or b required for elementary certification. Includes supervised work with older elementary students.
EDC 180.	Issues and Ideas in Education
	2-4 credits

Survey of topics to broaden understanding of teaching and learning. Open to prospective teachers and others interested in education in the United States or in other societies.
EDC 182.	The Infant and Young Child in the Family and Society
	4 credits	$20

Examination of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and other types of development in infancy and early childhood. Addresses the development of children with special needs and linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. From an ecosystems perspective, this course emphasizes the interacting influences of families, neighborhoods, subcultures and cultures on children's development. Students learn and apply techniques for observing and assessing young children's development, including possible indicators of physical, health, and emotional problems and learn techniques for evaluating the developmental appropriateness of programs. Foundation for students' later efforts to design developmentally appropriate instruction, adapt instruction to individual needs and act as advocates for young children. Students complete 30 hours of field placement in an early childhood setting. Fall only. Classroom placement included — no concurrent enrollment in EDC 220/201 is allowed in the same term.
EDC 183.	Introduction to Early Childhood Education
	4 credits
	Elementary Education Major
Introduction to the early childhood profession, the nature of the profession, including its philosophical, historical and social foundations and current contextual influences (e.g., demographic and policy influences). Familiarization with various types and models of early childhood programs. Includes discussion of characteristics of developmentally appropriate practice. Learn and apply guidelines for the organization and administration of early childhood programs. Winter only.
EDC 190.	Field Experience in Education
	1-4 credits
	EDC 201, 220 and Permission
Arranged assignment in an education setting intended to enhance a student's understanding of teaching and learning.
EDC 200.	Introduction to Secondary Education
	2 credits
	Sophomore Standing
Overview of secondary teaching and practical experience working with students individually or in small groups. Introduction to planning for and assessing secondary instruction, working with diverse learners and classroom organization. Required for secondary certification. Includes 24 hours of classroom placement.
EDC 201.	Exploring Teaching
	1 credit
	EDC 220 concurrently; 2.6 GPA and successful completion of EDC 142 or EDC 200
Introduction to teaching and applying psychological principles to education through classroom observation and assisting in classrooms. Required for certification. Pass/fail only. Includes 40 hours of classroom placement.
EDC 220.	Educational Psychology
	3 credits
	PSY 121, successful completion of EDC 142a or 142b; or EDC 200; EDC 201 concurrently; 2.6 GPA; Sophomore Standing or above
Overview of psychological theories and research applied to classroom learning. Includes study of concepts in human development, learning, motivation and assessment, as well as principles for effective classroom management and instruction. Required for certification.
EDC 282.	Involving Parents and Community
	2 credits
	Sophomore Standing
Emphasizes the critical role of family-school partnerships in ensuring children's well-being and academic success. Introduction to historical roles of the family and community in Early Childhood Education. Discussion of barriers to family involvement as well as effects of successful family participation. Addresses various types of family involvement and best practice guidelines associated with each type. Explores models for involving communities as partners in children's care and education. Fall only.
EDC 283.	Topics in Early Childhood Education
	1-4 credits
	EDC 201, 220
Explores special topics in Early Childhood Education of interest to the instructor and students. Examples of course topics include infant development and care; play as a learning medium; and language and literacy development.
EDC *304.	Reading and Language Arts — Field
	1 credit
	EDC 201 and 220; EDC 340 concurrently; TEP
Classroom observation and participation in teaching reading and language arts. Required for elementary certification. Pass/fail only. Includes 40 hours of classroom placement.
EDC *305.	Science, Mathematics and Social Studies — Field
	1 credit
	EDC 201 and 220; EDC 341 and 342 concurrently; TEP
Classroom observation and participation in teaching science, mathematics and social studies. Required for elementary certification. Pass/fail only. Includes 40 hours of classroom placement.
EDC *306.	Elementary Art — Field
	2 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; ART Major, TEP or Permission
Classroom observation and participation in teaching art at the elementary level. Required for Art and Design Majors seeking K-12 certification. Pass/fail only. Includes 72 hours of classroom placement.
EDC *320.	Growth and Development
	2 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; TEP
Overview of processes of human development in childhood and adolescence. Primary focus on socialization and education. Required for certification.
EDC *323.	Evaluation in Classroom
	2 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; TEP
Survey of classroom evaluation techniques, preparation of instructional objectives and experiences in development of teacher-made evaluation tools.
EDC *330.	Foundations of Education
	2 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; TEP
Survey of historical, social and philosophical foundation of education. Required for certification.
EDC *340.	Elementary Reading and Language Arts
	3 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; 304 concurrently, TEP
Examination of reading and language arts methods. Survey of developmental reading including word recognition, comprehension and study skills in content areas. Use of diagnostic teaching, classroom organization and management of the reading program, and methods of teaching language arts, including their interrelationships with reading. Required for elementary certification.
EDC *341.	Elementary Science and Social Studies Methods
	3 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; TEP; 305 and 342 concurrently
Examination of methods and materials in science and social studies. Required for elementary certification.
EDC *342.	Elementary Mathematics Methods
	3 credits
	EDC 201 and 220, MTH 202 (or eight credits mathematics at 112 level or above with minimum grade of C); TEP; 305 and 341 concurrently
Examination of methods and materials in elementary mathematics. Required for elementary certification.
EDC *343.	Music in the Elementary School
	2 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; TEP
Designed for the classroom teacher. Examination of methods and materials for teaching music to children, including use of instruments and functional piano playing. Open to juniors and seniors. Note-reading ability or class piano strongly recommended as prerequisite.
EDC *344.	Elementary School Music
	4 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; Music Major or Minor or Training; TEP
Examination of methods and materials in music. Required of Music Majors who wish to be certified to teach music at elementary and secondary levels. Open also to Education students with music background.
EDC *345.	Art for Elementary Teachers
	4 credits	$10
	EDC 201 and 220; ART and EDC Majors; TEP
Examination of art materials and the construction of art programs in the elementary classroom. Required for Art and Design Majors seeking K-12 certification.
EDC *346.	Teaching Reading in Middle and Senior High School
	4 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; TEP
Survey of strategies for teaching, diagnosing and improving word recognition, comprehension and study skills. Survey of student language needs and program planning for reading instruction at the middle and senior high school levels. Includes off-campus service-learning component and a 10-hour practicum. Required for secondary certification.
EDC *348.	Secondary Principles and General Teaching Methods
	3 credits
	TEP or Permission; EDC 490-491s concurrently
Examination of principles and methods appropriate to middle and senior high teaching. Required for secondary certification.
EDC *353.	Introduction to Special Education
	2 credits
	EDC 201 and 220 or Permission; EDC 346 or 304/340 concurrently suggested; TEP
Introduction to the teaching of exceptional students. Review of historical and legal issues in special education. Characteristics of exceptional learners, birth through adolescence. Examination of materials and methodology appropriate for instructing exceptional learners in inclusive classrooms. Required for certification. Includes an eight-hour practicum.
EDC *354.	Art for Diverse Students
	4 credits
	EDC 201 and 220; ART Major, TEP or Permission
Explorations of inclusive methods of teaching students with different abilities and diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Lectures, discussions, reading and classroom experiences deal with the nature of disabilities and giftedness. Curriculum, evaluation, space planning and classroom management techniques are studied in relation to the range of abilities that students bring to the contemporary art classroom. Open to students at junior level or above. Required for Art and Design Majors seeking K-12 certification.
EDC *383.	Curriculum and Methods in Early Childhood
	4 credits
	EDC 183; 201 and 220 recommended; TEP
Preparation for planning and facilitating developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children in the content areas of language, literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, health and safety. Techniques for adapting instruction to culturally diverse learners and those with handicapping conditions. Preparation in appropriate management and guidance techniques, and designing appropriate physical environments and schedules for young children. Students practice integrating systematic observation of young children's behavior with instructional design and assessment and program evaluation techniques. Students learn techniques for working cooperatively with families in the care and education of their children and with community services and referral procedures for children. Includes a 30-hour practicum in an early childhood site. Spring only (no 'S' credit). Classroom placement included.
EDC *385.	Practicum in Education
	1-4 credits
	Permission

EDC *399.	Independent Study
	4 credits
	Junior Standing; Permission
Individual investigation of an educational problem planned with faculty in Alma's Education Department.
EDC *440.	Teaching Struggling Readers
	3 credits
	EDC 304 and 340; EDC 490-491e concurrently; TEP
Survey of theory and methods associated with reading instruction for struggling readers. Emphasis placed on assessment of reading strengths and needs as well as specific strategies for reading improvement. Includes supervised instruction. Required for elementary certification.
EDC *445a.	Methods Secondary Art Teachers
	4 credits	$10
	TEP or Permission
Examination of art media and the construction of art programs in secondary, grades 7-12, classrooms. Topics include multicultural influences on world art, uses of technology in the classroom and current standards and practices in art education. Required for Art and Design Majors seeking K-12 certification.
EDC *445b-r.	Special Methods in Secondary Teaching
	2 credits
	TEP or Permission
Survey of special teaching methods in student's major field: b, Biology; c, Chemistry; e, English; f, Modern Languages; h, History/Political Science; m, Mathematics; n, Vocal Music (listed as MUS 432a); o, Instrumental Music (listed as MUS 432b); p, Physical Education; ph, Physics. May be taken prior to or concurrently with Education 490-491s. Required for certification.
EDC *445s.	Methods in Teaching Social Studies
	4 credits
	TEP or Permission
Survey of special teaching methods in student's major field: s=social studies. May be taken prior to or concurrently with Education 490-491s. Required for certification.
EDC *447.	Methods in Teaching Spanish
	4 credits
	TEP or Permission
Survey of materials and contemporary methods for teaching Spanish. Includes theory and research on teaching modern languages: communicative method, interculturalism, phonetics and classroom observation. Class conducted in Spanish. Candidates for Secondary Certification may substitute this course for EDC 445f, which is required for certification. Others may enroll with permission of the Alma Education Department. (Madrid or Mexico City)
EDC *480.	Selected Topics in Education
	2-4 credits
	EDC 201 and 220, and Permission
Survey of a selected topic chosen for study. May be taken more than once for credit.
EDC 490-491e or s.	Directed Teaching
	5 credits each
	Approval by TEC; Senior or Post-Graduate Standing
Teaching under the direction of a cooperating teacher in the public schools. Concurrent enrollment in Education 348 and 445, or 440 is usual. With Department's permission, graduates may enroll for 490e or s only. Applications must be filed by November 15 of the year prior to directed teaching. Pass/fail only. Required for certification.
EDC *492.	Directed Teaching for K-12 Endorsement
	4 credits

Teaching under the direction of a supervising teacher in the public schools in special areas of Music, Physical Education and Art. Required of elementary education candidates with majors in one of the three special fields who wish K-12 endorsements. Normally scheduled in Spring Term.
EDC *493.	Directed Teaching in Early Childhood Education
	5 credits
	EDC 182, 183, 282, 383, SOA 220
Directed teaching experience of 280 hours in an Early Childhood Setting under the guidance of a professional Early Childhood Educator. Students integrate and apply content area knowledge, pedagogical and professional knowledge and understanding of children's physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs, including special needs, in designing and facilitating learning experiences in an early childhood setting. Students apply knowledge of behavioral assessment and program evaluation, appropriate techniques for managing and guiding young children, nutrition, health and safety standards, and characteristics of appropriate environments to their planning and teaching. Under guidance of cooperating teacher, students work effectively with parents as partners in their children's education. Students in the Directed Teaching course regularly reflect on and evaluate their experience with a College Field Instructor. Spring or summer of junior or senior year. Must apply for student teaching by November 15 of junior year and be approved prior to beginning ECE student teaching.
EDC *499.	Independent Study
	4 credits
	Senior Standing, EDC Major and Permission
Individual investigation of an educational problem or development of a creative, usable project.
EDC *500.	Senior Thesis
	4 credits
	Permission
Required for departmental honors.

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