Course Descriptions
Education Courses
ED 102 - Foundations of Education (WI)
3.00 CrAn introductory course for prospective teachers that provides a broad intellectual structure for understanding the nature of the school as a social institution, the teaching profession as a potential career, and themselves as prospective teachers. Students will explore: 1) a variety of social, political, economic, legal, and philosophical variables that have made the American public school what it is today, 2) the connections between historical and contemporary educational issues, and 3) the potential impact of their own temperaments, talents, and motivations, upon their satisfaction and effectiveness as teachers. Students will be introduced to the conceptual framework and the portfolio assessment process that guides teacher education at Carroll College. A twenty (20) hour exploratory experience in a public school classroom is required.
ED 189 - Special Topics
3.00 CrED 212 - Teaching Math in Elem School
3.00 CrAn inspection of the scope and sequence of the elementary curriculum and possible models for classroom structure, identification of resource materials and teaching aids, and an emphasis on the techniques and methods in teaching problem-solving skills. Each student must make a classroom presentation with emphases on drill and the use of concrete aids to help teach a particular skill from the elementary curriculum.
ED 228 - Children's Literature
3.00 CrStudents read, listen to, and evaluate a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction literature published for or enjoyed by children. Techniques for teaching literature and using literature in other content areas are discussed and presented. Spring semester.
ED 229 - Educational Psychology
3.00 CrA study of the psychological theories and principles that affect teaching and learning in educational environments. The focus of this course is on the theories and methods associated with the process of learning as well as the application of this knowledge in a variety of classroom environments.
ED 245 - Diversity Field Experience
1.00 CrThis field placement must be in a school setting comprised of a diverse K-8 or 5-12 student population, and be for a minimum of thirty hours. Students will work with their education advisers to identify appropriate settings and to develop a proposal for the field experience. The proposal must be submitted to the Director of Teacher Education by September 1 for spring semester or by April 1 for fall semester.
ED 305 - Classroom Management
2.00 CrThis course is designed to assist the student in developing a knowledge base and skills in the area of classroom management. Both group and individual behavior management techniques will be addressed.
ED 312 - Elementary Sci and Soc Studies
4.00 CrA course designed to help the preservice teacher develop a defensible rationale for making curricular and instructional decisions concerning the substance of instruction, techniques of instruction, and evaluation practices as unique to the teaching of elementary social studies and science. This course combines lecture and laboratory in which students will study science and social studies curricula, the planning and design of hands-on activities and materials, and teaching both content and process. In addition, students will be exposed to the metric system of measurement. Prerequisites: A lab course in at least two of the following science disciplines: physical, life and earth science. Spring semester.
ED 314 - Phys-Ed Elem School
3.00 CrThis course provides the knowledge, theory, and some practical applications of physical education within the Elementary school setting. Students will learn about the various components of an elementary physical education program and will learn how to develop a year-long elementary physical education curriculum. Students will learn games and activities appropriate to the developmental level of elementary children, health promotion concepts, teaching methodology, evaluation techniques, and the importance of physical education as an integral part of general education.
ED 318 - Cont Area Reading & Sec Methds
3.00 CrThis course considers classroom planning, lesson presentation skills, and instructional equipment and materials. Students study the development of listening, speaking, vocabulary, reading, and writing, and learn assessment techniques as well as strategies to improve study skills, writing, and reading, while teaching content areas. Students analyze text and electronic reading materials used in content areas. A 45-hour exploratory experience in a public school classroom is required. Prior field experiences will be analyzed to determine grade level placement for this field experience.
ED 320 - Art Education in the Elem Sch
2.00 CrThis course provides knowledge and appreciation of art instructional methods necessary to 1) teach the K-8 students the basic elements and principles of artistic design, 2) develop in the K-8 student an appreciation of the role of cultural heritage in the visual environment, 3) understand the stages of creative development in children, and 4) establish an appropriate art curriculum. Spring semester.
ED 323 - Teaching Commun Arts I
2.00 CrStudents focus on the development, curriculum, instruction, and assessment of writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and thinking. Methods, materials, techniques, and strategies for teaching all of the communication arts are presented and discussed.
ED 324 - Diagnostic-Based Interventions
3.00 CrDiagnostic-Based Interventions in Literacy Instruction. This course is designed to prepare the classroom teacher to assess children's reading levels and provide instruction for the corrective and remedial reader using appropriate methods. Students are required to complete a clinical experience.
ED 325 - Teaching Communication Arts II
3.00 CrMethods, materials, techniques, and strategies for teaching reading will be presented. The students will study word recognition, comprehension, and metacognition teaching strategies as well as emergent literacy. One-third of this course is devoted to public school classroom work which will be arranged and required for each student.
ED 344 - Secondary Social Studies
2.00 CrThis course is an examination of selected concepts and generalizations of the social sciences that form the frame-work of contemporary social studies curricula in the secondary school. Students will be asked to develop a defensible rationale for making curricular and instructional decisions concerning the substance of instruction, techniques of instruction, and evaluation practices as unique to the social studies classroom in grades five through 12.
ED 346 - Teaching Science in Sec School
2.00 CrThis course will examine the techniques and materials used in teaching the physical and biological sciences at the secondary level.
ED 350 - Middle School Teaching
3.00 CrThis course looks at the sociological, psychological, historical, and philosophical foundations of middle schools. In addition, middle school program, organization, planning, curriculum, and evaluation will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on developing an interdisciplinary unit of study at the middle school level.
ED 403 - Internship
5.00 CrA half-day, two-semester field experience program for qualified senior students. The internship will be consecutive, beginning the fall semester of the senior year and ending with the spring semester of the senior year. Due to scheduling of course work, the first semester's internship is in the morning hours, while the second semester's field experience is completed in the afternoon.
ED 404 - Internship
5.00 CrA half-day, two-semester field experience program for qualified senior students. The internship will be consecutive, beginning the fall semester of the senior year and ending with the spring semester of the senior year. Due to scheduling of course work, the first semester's internship is in the morning hours, while the second semester's field experience is completed in the afternoon. Prerequisite: ED 318 or ED 325, and acceptance to student teaching. Offered annually.
ED 405 - Education Seminar
1.00 CrA one-hour discussion of issues directly related to the professional concerns of the classroom teacher. This seminar is required of all individuals who will apply for teacher certification upon termination of a preservice field experience. Successful completion of the seminar will fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement for majors in elementary education and social science for secondary education.
ED 407 - Organize/Admn of the Rdng Prog
2.00 CrThis course develops skills for organizing, managing, and evaluating reading programs for all children (K-12) and presents methods for promoting staff, administration, and community support for reading programs.
ED 408 - Student Teaching- Minor Only
5.00 CrFor qualified students pursuing professional teacher licensing in a minor endorsement area only, or seeking a second minor endorsement. A full day, five-week directed teaching program in the student's minor area. The teaching candidate must not undertake any other duties or college courses during the daytime teaching assignment; student teaching is a full-time responsibility. The program is open to elementary and secondary education majors who are pursuing a minor in a certifiable area and may be completed in either the first or second semester of the senior year.
ED 410 - Student Teaching
12.00 CrFor qualified students pursing professional teacher licensing in a major, or a major and minor endorsement, area of study. A full day, 15-week directed teaching program in the student's major and minor areas. The teaching candidate must not undertake any other duties or college courses during the daytime teaching assignment; student teaching is a full-time responsibility. The program is open to elementary and secondary education majors and may be completed in either the first or second semester of the senior year.
ED 411 - Teaching Eng on the Sec Level
3.00 CrA study of the theories and methods for teaching the communication arts in the secondary schools with special emphasis on teaching literature and composition, as well as contemporary issues within the profession.
ED 412 - Meas & Assessmnt in Teaching
3.00 CrThis course will look at the role of measurement and assessment in the instructional process. Classroom tests and standardized tests will be analyzed. Gathering, administering and interpreting assessment data will be examined.
ED 485 - Independent Study: Education
1.00 CrIndependent study is open to junior and senior students only. At the time of application, a student must have earned a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. A student may register for no more than three (3) semester hours of independent study in any one term. In all cases, registration for independent study must be approved by the appropriate department chairperson and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
ED 489 - Special Topics:
3.00 CrED 499 - Honors Thesis
1.00 CrThe thesis work for honor students is designed to encourage creative thinking and to stimulate individual research. Interested students should decide upon a thesis project as early as possible in the junior year so that adequate attention may be given to the project. In order to be eligible to apply to write a thesis, a student must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 based upon all courses completed at Carroll College. Applications and further information are available in the Registrar's Office. Note: If the thesis credits exceed the credit limit, the charge for additional credits will be waived.
Senior Thesis (Effective August 1, 2016)
The senior thesis is designed to encourage creative thinking and to stimulate individual research. A student may undertake a thesis in an area in which s/he has the necessary background. Ordinarily a thesis topic is chosen in the student's major or minor. It is also possible to choose an interdisciplinary topic.
Interested students should decide upon a thesis topic as early as possible in the junior year so that adequate attention may be given to the project. In order to be eligible to apply to write a thesis, a student must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 based upon all courses attempted at Carroll College.
The thesis committee consists of a director and two readers. The thesis director is a full-time Carroll College faculty member from the student's major discipline or approved by the department chair of the student's major. At least one reader must be from outside the student's major. The thesis director and the appropriate department chair must approve all readers. The thesis committee should assist and mentor the student during the entire project.
For any projects involving human participants, each student and his or her director must follow the guidelines published by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Students must submit a copy of their IRB approval letter with their thesis application. As part of the IRB approval process, each student and his or her director must also complete training by the National Cancer Institute Protection of Human Participants.
The thesis is to be completed for three (3) credits in the discipline that best matches the content of the thesis. If the thesis credits exceed the credit limit, the charge for additional credits will be waived. Applications and further information are available in the Registrar's Office.
SPED 189 - Special Topic
3.00 CrSPED 300 - Intro to Exceptional Children
3.00 CrThe purpose of this course is to provide a broad overview of special education and the characteristics and needs of children and youth with disabilities. Historical perspectives, legal aspects, the full range of educational exceptionalities, and teaching strategies are surveyed.
SPED 304 - Students High Incidence Disabi
3.00 CrThis course focuses on the physical, sensory, communication, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics of students with mild/moderate disabilities. Characteristics of learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, emotional disabilities, and communication disorders will be covered with specific emphasis on the impact of these characteristics on learning, curriculum, program development, and needed services and support.
SPED 305 - Students Low Incidence Disabil
3.00 CrThis course focuses on severe disabilities as manifested in individuals from early childhood through the adult years. Emphasis will be placed on defining disabilities (including etiology), and the diagnosis and provision of services. Attention on school based services, including response to intervention and inclusion will be presented. Multicultural issues will be discussed such as the impact of certain disabilities on families from Native American and other various cultures in Montana. Students will begin to develop skills in instructional methods and materials for students with severe disabilities. Various types of classroom assessments will be studied.
SPED 306 - Collab & Conf Tech Spec Ed
3.00 CrThis course is designed to develop knowledge, skills and abilities relative to collaboration and teamwork. Provides educators with the information and skills necessary to collaborate and consult with other professionals, families, and support agencies regarding the design and implementation of educational programs for students with and without disabilities.
SPED 323 - Assmnt Special Education
3.00 CrThe assessment and evaluation of learning and behavior problems of students with learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional disturbance/behavior disorders at the preschool through secondary levels. Emphases are on students' use and evaluation of current assessments in special education and their use in the development of individualized educational programs.
SPED 324 - Diagnostic-Based Interventions
3.00 CrDiagnostic-Based Interventions in Literacy Instruction. This course is designed to prepare the classroom teacher to assess children's reading levels and provide instruction for the corrective and remedial reader using appropriate methods. Students are required to complete a clinical experience.
SPED 408 - Methods/Teaching/Lrn Behv Diso
3.00 CrMethods for Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Disorders. Students will develop, implement, and evaluate curricula for students with mild disabilities (learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional disturbance/behavior disorders) at the preschool through secondary levels. Individualized education program planning, research-based teaching strategies and materials appropriate for students with mild disabilities are emphasized. A 35 hour practicum experience in a classroom with students with disabilities is required of all students.
SPED 409 - Methods Administering Spec Ed
5.00 CrMethods for Administering Special Education.
The purpose of this course is for students to learn how to administer special education within the public school system. Students will learn the special education process from pre-referral through evaluation and implementation of the Individualized Education Plan. Student will learn to write individual present level of academic achievement and functional performance statements and measurable annual goals for an Individual Educational Plan. Students will complete a 90 hour filed experience in the public school.