This course focuses on designing curriculum for inclusive and equitable settings for young children, birth through age 8. Classroom applications for constructivist theory in the areas of curriculum planning and implementation; issues of equity and diversity in curriculum and assessment; overview of research and theory related to teaching and learning of specific content areas, with emphasis on integrated approach to early childhood curriculum. Stresses the reciprocal nature of student-teacher relationship in the inclusive and equitable settings.

Juniors and seniors only, with approval by appropriate faculty member. Neither course may be repeated.

Learning in formal and informal contexts and cultural aspects of learning and development with an emphasis on childhood and adolescence. Theories of learning including behaviorism, constructivism, sociocultural, and design perspectives. Topics include research and varied cultural perspectives on intelligence, motivation, identity and the self, concept learning and knowledge, noncognitive aspects of learning, social and emotional learning, deficit thinking and social justice perspectives, design-based perspectives on educational innovation, and assessment.

The social studies theory and methods course begins with an overview of the varied and, at times, competing goals and visions of the profession. Students examine these goals and their underlying rationales, and then develop their own philosophy of social studies teaching and learning. Students also examine state and national scope and sequence frameworks for the social studies, as well as the language arts Common Core standards. A variety of classroom strategies and methods are explored during the remainder of the course, including unit design, leading class discussions, how to approach controversial issues, teaching concepts and generalizations, increasing student engagement and empathy with the past, incorporating technology and the arts, management and discipline, and formats for assessment and grading.