GRADUATE COURSES FOR THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
ART COURSES (ART)
501 The School Art Program (3:2-2) (Prerequisite: 315) S Preparation
for teaching school art; partially meets art teacher certification requirements
through studio, discussion, and lecture in art.
600 Special Topics in Art (3:1-4) (Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree or
certification in art) As Needed. Content will be specifically designed for the
particular topic to be taught, such as ceramics, batik, collage, or other media
as used in the classroom.
BIOLOGY COURSES (BIOL)
501 Ornithology (4:3-3) (Prerequisite: 106 and 116 or permission of
department) AS. Anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, evolution, ecology, behavior,
and identification of birds.
515 Special Topics in Biology for Elementary Teachers (4), (3), (2),
or (1) (Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree) As Needed. Designed to give elementary
teachers an opportunity to learn information and laboratory techniques to help
them teach biology.
602 Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology (4:3-3) (Prerequisite: eligibility
for certification in science and bachelor's degree or permission of department)
SU. Structure and function of marine and terrestrial ecosystems with emphasis
on southeastern United States. Lecture, laboratory, and field trips.
615 Special Topics in Biology for High School Teachers (4), (3), (2),
or (1) (Prerequisite: Teacher's certificate to teach high school biology) SU.
Designed to give high school teachers the opportunity to learn new information
and laboratory techniques which will help them in their teaching.
EDUCATION COURSES (EDUC)
503 Teaching of Reading in the Secondary School (3) F. Prepares preservice
and inservice secondary and middle school teachers for the most effective use
of printed content materials. Implications of current theory and the results
of research in reading will be discussed.
610 Collaboration and Management Solutions for Education (3) F, S, SU.
This course will examine the conflicts in school settings from a variety of
perspectives, examining these situations at both the individual and systemic
levels. The goal is to enable participants to objectively identify the nature
of the problem and the relevant interests of various parties, to explore alternatives
with firm foundations in research, and to formulate possible strategies for
resolving the situation constructively.
611 Solving Instructional Problems Using Technology (3) F, S, SU. This
course will enable students to develop skills in using technology in instructional
settings, and to determine appropriate technological tools for enhancing and
extending learning. Competencies developed in this course will be utilized in
other courses in the program, and in particular, the practicum and capstone
seminars.
612 Assessment and Investigation in Education (3) F, S, SU. The course
provides a broad range of tools, addressing the full continuum of assessments
from standardized tests to portfolios, for capturing, describing, quantifying,
and communicating data regarding cognitive and social behaviors. Skills in critical
analysis and utilization of professional literature and selection of appropriate
research/assessment tools are emphasized. Students will be prepared to conduct
independent or collaborative research with colleagues which is intended to solve
practical educational problems.
613 Contemporary Issues in Education and Society (3) F, S, SU. The course
introduces the student to contemporary and emerging societal problems and issues
as they relate to and impact upon education. These problems and issues will
be viewed from a national, state, and local perspective. This course will focus
on the dynamics of educational change. The student will be expected to focus
on a particular educational or societal problem/issue and assess and evaluate
its instructional implications.
616 Public School Curriculum and Organization K-12 (3) SU. This course
is designed to supply the skills necessary to allow curricular development and
to give the student a broad understanding of the scope and sequence of public
school curriculum.
721 Family, Community, and Early Childhood Education (3) S, SU. A primary
goal of this course is to provide opportunities for collaboration among teachers,
other professionals, and members of a larger and diverse community. One of the
outcomes of the course collaboration is a plan to address a concern, such as
school-age child care. Course content encompasses topics that include family
and community concerns and issues, such as anti-bias practices in schools; strategies
to connect families to appropriate community services; and initiatives to assist
family and community, such as mentoring school volunteers.
722 Curriculum Design for Early Childhood Programs (3) SU. One of the
goals of this course is to have students design and use curriculum that is based
on the most current research concerning children's development in all domains.
A product of this course is a research paper including the implications of a
proposed curriculum for a school or child care center. Course topics relate
to innovative, pragmatic programs that are appropriate for children from birth
through age eight and who reflect diverse demographics. Instructional methods
for integrating the curriculum in language, math, science, social studies, health,
and the arts are studied.
723 Early Intervention: Strategies for the Special Needs Child (3) SU.
A goal of early intervention is to prepare students to effectively provide,
at the earliest juncture possible, appropriate treatments and accommodations
for children presenting special needs. This course addresses theory, practice,
and federal and state legislative support for programs for special needs children
during the pre-school and primary years. Emphasis is directed toward support
services to families as well as the affected children. Attention is given to
children who exhibit risk factors for or characteristics of mild to moderate
developmental delays, high incidence disabilities (educable mental disability,
learning disability, speech disorders), and low incidence disabilities (sensory
losses, orthopedic disabilities). The needs of children who exhibit cognitive
and other developmental traits above the normal range are also considered. Students
analyze, interpret, and identify critical configurations of scores within psychoeducational
and informal evaluations; consequent interventions are formulated.
724 Leadership of Early Childhood Programs (3) SU. The major goal of
this course is to have students analyze leadership responsibilities in establishing,
managing, and improving appropriate programs for children from birth to age
eight. Students collaborate with individuals who currently serve in leadership
roles in Early Childhood programs. Topics such as diversity of staff and families,
environmental assessment, professional ethics, mentoring to develop the potential
of individual staff (life span development), and regulations for quality programs
are studied. Information is also provided about prospective entrepreneurs' interests
in owning a home or center child care business.
731 Literacy Development (3) F, S, SU. The course covers primary through
middle-school reading curriculum. It develops the best of past and current literacy
practice, and the best of past and current literacy research. Critical thinking
is emphasized throughout, as are considerations of individual and cultural diversity.
The best current available literacy technology is explained, demonstrated, and,
when feasible, employed directly by students. All elements of the course are
integrated, strengthened, and focused by the program principles of knowledge,
reflections, and collaboration.
732 Quantitative Learning: Pre-School Through Middle School (3) F, S,
SU. The course will consider a wide spectrum of methods and styles for quantitative
learning in very young children, children, and early adolescents. The course
will focus on these techniques as they apply to the South Carolina Mathematics
Standards.
733 Concepts and Methods in Elementary Science (3) F, S, SU. This course
will prepare students to teach science in the elementary school. This course
emphasizes a constructivist hands-on approach that focuses on learning science
through discovery.
734 Concepts and Methods in Elementary Social Studies (3) F, S, SU.
Course content focuses on selected content from the social studies scope and
sequence. The mastery of these concepts via inquiry, guided discovery, and other
"best practice" strategies will serve as a basis to explore effective
methods for social studies instruction. Course will supply the student with
the latest concepts and teaching strategies in the field.
741 Cognitive and Behavioral Aspects of the Divergent Learner (3) F,
S, SU. The course introduces students to the developmental principles underlying
divergent cognition, value systems, and behavior. Attributes of learner types
are employed as a framework for comprehending the positive and negative interface
among teachers, students, and persons generally. Broad principles determining
environmental and instructional accommodations are central in this phase of
study.
742 Procedures for the Divergent Learner (3) F, S, SU. The purpose of
this course is to study the instructional strategies and educational procedures
necessary to accommodate the needs of divergent learners. Emphasis will be placed
on current research and practice.
743 Verbal Processing and the Divergent Learner (3) F, S, SU. The course
explores the divergent learner's needs for specialized techniques in reading
and language related instruction. This segment of study focuses centrally upon
materials and methods which will enhance the probability of motivation toward
reading/writing and effectiveness of the reading/writing process regarding comprehension,
retention, analysis, formulation, and connectivity to other subjects. Skills
which can be taught to improve verbal test scores are emphasized.
744 Quantitative Processing and the Divergent Learner (3) F, S, SU.
The course will consider a wide spectrum of learning divergencies with appropriate
and effective diagnostic, prescriptive, and treatment techniques. The course
will focus on these divergencies and techniques as they apply to South Carolina
Mathematics Standards.
755 Introduction to Exceptionalities (3) F, S, SU. The course introduces
the graduate student to the etiologies, theoretical foundations, and characteristics
of the spectrum of exceptionalities ranging from giftedness to high incidence
disabilities (learning disabilities, mental disability, emotional/behavioral
disorders) to low incidence disabilities (orthopedic, sensorimotor deficits).
756 Cognitive and Behavioral Aspects of Learning Disabilities (3) F,
S, SU. The course explores the characteristics and effects of intrinsic learning
disorders as they are revealed in psychoeducational evaluation, informal assessment,
and routine academic performances. Areas of disorder include perception, memory,
language, schematic/organizational, haptic, and self governance. The teacher's
role as collaborative consultant in placement and treatment is emphasized.
757 Methods for Effective Instruction of Students with Learning Disabilities
(3) F, S, SU. A comprehensive course covering development and implementation
of curricula, vocational and academic, for students with learning disabilities.
758 Administrative and Legal Issues in Special Services (3) F, S, SU.
This course develops knowledge of federal and state legislation and accompanying
regulations which govern placement and treatment of children with disabilities.
Responsibilities of Directors, Coordinators, Psychologists, and other entities
are explored thoroughly so as to prepare the graduate student for effective
administration or informed classroom performance. Financial bases and distribution
systems are emphasized.
797A Practicum - Seminar I: Problem Identification (1) F A practicum
that takes focuses upon a public school/district setting. The student will be
introduced to a variety of school related problems. The student will begin identifying
a topic or issue which might lead to extended research. The student will be
expected to attend seminars on or off campus related to the issue(s)/topic(s).
797B Practicum - Seminar I: Problem Identification (2) S. A continuation
of the practicum that focuses upon a public school/district setting. The student
will be introduced to a variety of school related problems. The student will
begin identifying a topic or issue which might lead to extended research. The
student will be expected to attend seminars on or off campus related to the
issue(s)/topic(s).
798 Practicum - Seminar II: Problem Analysis (3) F, S, SU. A practicum
that takes place in a public school/district setting. The student will focus
on one topic or issue identified in Practicum - Seminar I. The topic/issue will
be investigated in depth using research tools acquired in Education 612. The
student will be expected to attend seminars related to the topic(s), including
the application of appropriate research strategies and related teaching methods.
Each student must submit a proposal detailing the thesis on other product for
approval by the 798 instructor and the appropriate program coordinator.
799A Capstone Seminar III: Problem Resolution (3) F, S, SU. The student
will continue to demonstrate instructional methods appropriate to the specialty.
The centerpiece of the Capstone courses will be a substantive paper, generally
of a thesis format (based upon original research). Students may choose alternative
approaches involving portfolios or other products; such alternative approaches
would include an appropriate paper as a component. The student will present
the completed work, near the closure of Education 799B, to selected members
of the graduate faculty
799B Capstone Seminar III: Problem Resolution (3) F, S, SU. The student
will continue to demonstrate instructional methods appropriate to the specialty.
The centerpiece of the Capstone courses will be a substantive paper, generally
of a thesis format (based upon original research). Students may choose alternative
approaches involving portfolios or other products; such alternative approaches
would include an appropriate paper as a component. The student will present
the completed work, near the closure of this course, to selected members of
the graduate faculty
EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES (EDPD)
525 Professional Development (3, 2, or 1) F, S, SU. Professional development
in various strategies and techniques to enhance Grades K-12 classroom instruction
for a variety of disciplines and content areas. Courses are scheduled at the
request of local school districts, educational agencies, or consortia, subject
to the approval of the School of Education. Graduate institutional credit (institutional
credit means that the hours earned and the grade points are included only in
the semester totals, which reflect total hours and credits earned. Neither the
grade points nor the hours earned are reflected in the cumulative totals, which
reflect total hours and credits toward degrees) may be earned, but EDPD 525
cannot be applied toward the M.Ed. or M.A.T. programs at Francis Marion University.
Undergraduate institutional credit (see parenthetical explanation above) may
also be earned.
ENGLISH COURSES (ENG)
516 English: Applied Composition Theory (3) SU. Survey of theories of
rhetoric and discourse appropriate for writing teachers. Includes workshop activities
and practice making and evaluating assignments, and diagnosing writing problems.
Includes modeling of appropriate pedagogy.
517 English: Advanced Approaches to British Literature (3) SU. Explores
works of British literature with emphasis on works appropriate for high school
teachers, including Empire and post colonial perspectives. Includes discussion
of various theoretical frameworks, age-appropriate secondary sources and the
application of effective writing assignments. Includes modeling of appropriate
pedagogy.
518 English: Advanced Approaches to American Literature (3) SU. Explores
works of American literature with emphasis on works appropriate for high school
teachers, including multicultural perspectives. Includes discussion on various
theoretical frameworks, age-appropriate secondary sources and the application
of effective writing assignments. Includes modeling of appropriate pedagogy.
519 English: Advanced Approaches to World Literature (3) SU. Explores
wide variety of world and multicultural literature with emphasis on works appropriate
for high school teachers. Includes discussion of various theoretical frameworks,
age-appropriate secondary sources and the application of effective writing assignments.
Includes modeling of appropriate pedagogy.
799 English: Capstone Practicum (3) (Prerequisite: 12 hours in specialty
core; Corequisite: Education 798) SU. This course is designed to integrate and
extend the subject matter covered in the preceding four specialty area courses.
A special focus will involve the identification of and completion of one or
more projects involving the specialty and education core, and/or exploration
of a related topic. The project(s) should be designed so they can be used in
an appropriate professional setting.
MATHEMATICS COURSES (MATH)
516 Mathematics: Calculus for Teachers (3) (Prerequisite: Bachelor's
degree plus eligibility for certification in mathematics or science, or senior
status as a mathematics major, or permission of department) F, S, SU. Full development
of limits, derivatives, and integrals. Concentration is on concepts and applications.
517 Mathematics: Abstract Algebra and Linear Algebra for Teachers (3)
(Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree plus eligibility for certification in mathematics,
or senior status as a mathematics major, or permission of department) SU. This
course will examine the basic concepts and results of abstract algebra and linear
algebra. The course will address such topics as the division algorithm, greatest
common divisor, least common multiple, prime factorization, modular arithmetic,
simultaneous equations, matrices, binary operations, groups, examples of groups,
group properties, subgroups, finite groups, permutation groups, LaGrange's Theorem,
linear spaces, the span and independence of a set of vectors, and basis. Applications
will be given throughout.
518 Mathematics: Probability and Statistics for Teachers (3) (Prerequisite:
Bachelor's degree plus eligibility for certification in mathematics or science,
or senior status as a mathematics major, or permission of department) SU. Survey
of areas of probability theory to include selected topics from sample spaces;
combinatorial theory; random variables and their distribution; conditional probability;
joint and marginal distributions; expected values and variances; and the Central
Limit Theorem. Survey of descriptive inferential statistics to include selected
topics from the use of tables, graphs, and formulas; sampling techniques; estimation
and confidence intervals; hypothesis testing; decision making; and correlation
and regression.
519 Mathematics: Logic and Geometry for Teachers (3) SU (Prerequisite:
Bachelor's degree plus eligibility for certification in mathematics or science,
or senior status as a mathematics major, or permission of department) This course
will include a discussion of mathematical language, logic, and sets; an introduction
to Euclid and the Elements: axiomatic systems, modern geometry; the postulates
of Hilbert, Birkhoff, and School Mathematics Study Group (SMSG); neutral geometry,
i.e. geometry based on Euclid's first four postulates; the basics for non-Euclidean
geometry including models for hyperbolic geometry and elliptic geometry.
799 Mathematics: Seminar Practicum Capstone (3) (Prerequisite: 12 hours
in specialty core; Corequisite: Education 798) SU. This course is designed to
integrate and extend the subject matter covered in the preceding four specialty
area courses. A special focus will involve the identification and completion
of one or more projects involving the specialty and education core and/or exploration
of a related topic. The project(s) should be designed so that they can be used
in an appropriate professional setting.
SCIENCE COURSES (SCI)
516 Science: Chemistry in the World (3) (Prerequisite: Eligibility for
certification in science and bachelor's degree or permission of department)
SU. This course will examine the role of chemistry in the world. The nature,
interactions, and transformations of matter and energy will be addressed. Applications
of science and technology, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and
experimental design will be emphasized.
517 Science: Earth and Space Science (3) (Prerequisite: Eligibility
for certification in science and bachelor's degree or permission of department)
SU. This course will examine the processes, interactions, and changes of earth
and space systems. Applications of science and technology, critical thinking
and problem-solving skills, and experimental design will be emphasized.
518 Science: Human Biology (3) (Prerequisite: Eligibility for certification
in science and bachelor's degree or permission of department) SU. This course
will examine the processes of life: characteristics and functions of organ systems,
and the impact of human activity on the environment. Applications of science
and technology, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and experimental
design will be emphasized.
519 Science: Environmental Science (3) (Prerequisite: Eligibility for
certification in science and bachelor's degree or permission of department)
SU. This course will examine natural resources, inter actions of organisms with
environment, interactions between organisms with each other and their environments;
and genetic diversity and continuity. Applications of science and technology,
critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and experimental design will be
emphasized.
799 Science: Seminar Practicum Capstone (3) (Prerequisite: 12 hours
in specialty core; Corequisite: Education 798) SU. This course is designed to
integrate and extend the subject matter covered in the preceding four specialty
area courses. A special focus will involve the identification and completion
of one or more projects involving the specialty and education core, and/or exploration
of a related topic. The project(s) should be designed so that they can be used
in an appropriate professional setting.
SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES (SOST)
516 Social Studies: History and American Government (3) SU. A study
of the historical development of American society including such topics as tradition
and change, the changing American family, the changing ethnic composition of
the United States, the growing role of government in American society, critical
developments in education, rural and urban trends, and the role of religion
in shaping American society.
517 Social Studies: American Economy and Politics (3) SU. An examination
of the principles and operation of the American economics and political systems.
518 Social Studies: The United States in Comparison/Contrast With The Rest
of the World (3) SU. Topics to be considered include: culture, standards
of living, rights and freedoms, environmental concerns, types of political systems,
levels of economic development, historical experiences, religions, ethnic groups,
and social classes.
519 Social Studies: Special Study of World Regions (3) SU. The study
in terms of commonalities and differences among countries in the regions of
Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, covering for each region society, history,
economy, and politics.
799 Social Studies: Seminar Practicum Capstone (3) (Prerequisite: 12
hours in specialty core) SU. This course is designed to integrate and extend
the subject matter covered in the preceding four specialty area courses. A special
focus will involve the identification and completion of one or more projects
involving the specialty and education core, and/or exploration of a related
topic. The project(s) should be designed so they can be used in an appropriate
professional setting.
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