This three-credit course will use the rich resources of the great city of Philadelphia to provide prospective educators with a general introduction to the roles, responsibilities and skills necessary for success in the profession, whether they pursue traditional classroom teaching roles or non-traditional roles in alternative learning settings that may include non-profits, youth service organizations, and cultural/arts/science venues. During this course you will explore a number of cultural and historic venues as you travel about the city under the close guidance of education department faculty members. You will meet some interesting citizens who have lived out their lives in the city, engage in lively seminar discussions focused on your explorations, and hone your creative skills by completing assignments carefully deigned to help you develop your critical thinking abilities.

This is one of the gateway courses into the education programs at La Salle University. It is an introduction to the role of the teacher with an emphasis on how students learn. The course focuses on the study of the nature and scope of educational psychology as it relates to human learning and introduces educational research. The course, which emphasizes speaking and writing, provides prospective education majors with the opportunity to explore the profession from different theoretical perspectives, such as cognitive and behavioral psychology. Students come to understand how people develop cognitively, socially, and emotion ally and how individuals learn. Students combine an in-depth analysis of self, foster higher levels of critical reflection, learn theories and concepts in educational psychology, and participate in field experiences to enhance connections between theory and practice (Open to non-majors, but field experience may be required by course instructors; required freshman course for ESEC, ESML and EDC majors).

From both developmental and ecological perspectives, this course explores the diversity of individuals in society and schools, including race, ethnicity, regional background, exceptionality, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, and religion. Personal beliefs and attitudes surrounding issues of human diversity and its impact on the family, community, and society are examined. The course provides an understanding of the legal and ethical issues in educating students from diverse backgrounds and with disabilities. Additionally, the course highlights the characteristics of students with special needs and ways to accommodate their needs in the classroom setting. (The course is open to non-majors (field experience may be required by course instructors); required course for all ESEC, ESML and EDC majors.)

Foundations of Literacy is a course designed to help preservice teachers understand and promote literacy development of students in preschool through eighth grade. Emphasis is placed on providing rich and meaningful literacy experiences that invite engagement and that help children develop skill, confidence, and enjoyment in the processes of listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and visual representation.

This course focuses on how students learn mathematics with implications for teaching mathematical concepts, skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The course provides a basis for understanding the changing mathematics curriculum, offers opportunities to plan and evaluate instructional techniques and materials, and examines the integration of mathematics with other content areas, such as science, children's literature, and social studies. A field experience (two hours each week) is required in conjunction with this course.

This course and its related fieldwork addresses social sciences subject matter pedagogy content in accordance with standards required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education. It integrates social sciences into a thematic whole and addresses core concepts in each discipline while simultaneously addressing pedagogical methods of teaching these disciplines to young children using evidence-based instructional practices. A field experience (two hours each week) is required in conjunction with this course.

The purpose of this course is to address the theory and practice of teaching reading across content areas in grades pre-K through 8. Students will examine various theories, instructional materials, teaching procedures and strategies, and themselves as teachers and students. They will also examine literacy as a whole and include strategies on the teaching of writing and the art of classroom discussion. The goal of this course is to help preservice teachers become reflective teachers of literacy in a diverse society. Using inquiry, based on theory, research, and their own investigation in classrooms, students will learn to be reflective teachers of reading, writing, and discussion. Through active participation and practice, students in this course will come to a deeper understanding of literacy instruction. The students will leave the course with many practical, usable classroom ideas to employ in all subject areas. A field experience (two hours each week) is required in conjunction with this course.

This course provides a general overview of the ways to support English Language Learners (ELL) in the inclusive classroom. Information on Pennsylvania state standards for ELL students will be addressed and evidence-based strategies/approaches of oral language development will be emphasized. Theory will be connected to practice in field-based experiences.

This integrated science/math course, with a focus on advanced subject matter content and pedagogy, is the second part of the 8-credit IMS course sequence designed for the Pre K-4 and middle level (4-8) education majors. Special attention is given to how children learn science and math, and how science/math should be taught in line with the academic standards documents and research findings. The course also aims to expose the teacher candidates--at a university level--to fundamental scientific/mathematical ideas and processes of science, and develop their skills in critical thinking and communication.

EDC 260 is designed to provide Education majors the opportunity to gain experience in an educational setting related to their selected grade band. This course also offers the option for educators currently employed in an education setting to receive credit for their teaching experience under the guidance of a La Salle instructor.

This course will introduce students to basic elements of visual literacy through the exploration of art history in a variety of cultural traditions, geographic locations, and chronological periods. Students will learn about principles of design, form, and iconography while exploring the art of different societies and cultures.