This course examines fundamental principles and theories of organizational communication. Students analyze the effects of communication on organizational quality; discuss specific skill sets necessary for effective internal communication; analyze methods of managing information; discuss the value and methods used to create organizational networks; and study the influence of organizational culture on organizational communication. Crisis communication, intercultural communication, and communication assessment are introduced.

The current field of special education was established by law and further refined through the courts in litigation. In this writing intensive class, students trace the historical development of federal, state, and local laws and regulations such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the New Hampshire Standards for the Education of Students with Disabilities. Students will gain an understanding of the relationship between constitutional law, statutory law, regulatory law and case law as it relates to current special education law. The focus on policies and procedures provides the background future teachers and paraprofessionals need to fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities and to understand the ever changing, complex nature of special education law.

This course provides an overview of the 13 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) educational disabilities and the opportunity to explore the implications of disability on learning. Students will develop knowledge of specific disabilities including: definition, diagnosis, etiology, prevalence, characteristics, adaptive behavior, and systems of support and resources. Students will explore how disability impacts learning and access to the general education curriculum. Students will research and identify teaching strategies, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies, interventions, and educational and assistive technologies to enhance learning and provide equity in the classroom for students with disabilities.

This course focuses on the tools and procedures involved in the evaluation and determination of education disabilities. Under the supervision of the district mentor, students review school records, observe an evaluation team meeting, consult with district evaluators, review a variety of assessment tools and evaluation reports, and develop the skills necessary to administer and interpret some of the assessments commonly used by special education teachers. The culminating activity of the course is the development of a formal assessment report.