Courses

Introduces a broad picture of K-12 teaching as a career in Lutheran schools, other private schools and public schools. Students will be introduced to the teacher education program and guided in the process of application to the program. Participation in at least 10 hours of focused K-12 classroom observations required.

Educ-201 Introduction to Education (3)

An orientation to the field of education with an emphasis on the service role of the teacher. Historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of American public and private education are explored. Current trends and issues are examined. Prerequisite: Educ-101. May not be taken first semester of freshman year.

Educ-211 Middle Level Seminar I (1)

An exploration of middle level curriculum, students, and organizational patterns, intended to introduce middle level concepts to individuals interested in pursuing a middle level endorsement. Action research will necessitate out-of-class time involving middle level students, faculty and parents. Sem I only. Prerequisites: Educ-201, or take simultaneously.

Educ-229 Introduction to DCE Ministries (2)

A study of church work roles in the LCMS with a focus on Director of Christian Education (DCE) ministry including its history, issues, and current practice. Students will also by given opportunity to reflect on their fit and commitment to training for DCE ministry within Concordia’s model of preparation.

Educ-300 Outdoor Christian Education (2)

This course is an examination of the historical and contemporary purposes and formats of Outdoor Christian Education. Students will be equipped with the skills needed to implement an effective Outdoor Christian Education program in a congregational or school setting.

Educ-301 Principles of Secondary Education (2)

The purpose of this course is to review and further develop instructional planning, models of teaching and classroom management in today's Lutheran and public secondary schools. Segments include skill development as teachers, leaders and learners affecting successful middle and secondary school teachers. Segments also include assessment strategies, multicultural education, mainstreaming, master teachers’ reflections, interview procedures, and the Christian teacher’s mission. Student Teaching I runs concurrently with this course. Class presentations and observations are required.

Educ-311 Middle Level Seminar II (1)

A continued interactive exploration of middle level curriculum, students, and organizational patterns, expanding upon the content of Educ-211. 30 hours of field experience is required. Sem II only. Prerequisite: Educ-211.

Educ-330 Early Childhood Education Foundations and Programs (3)

An introduction to early childhood education, this course provides knowledge of the history, philosophy, and trends in this field. A variety of current models and programs will be explored, with class visits to several programs. Sem. II only.

Educ-332 Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Methodology (3)

Students will learn developmentally appropriate content and various methods for guiding the growth of children in Christian environments which meet the unique needs of children ages three thorough five. 30 hours of field experience is required. Sem. I only.

Educ-333 Primary Education and Literacy Development (3)

Designed to prepare the teacher of children ages six through eight for teaching the basic skills, organizing the primary curriculum, and selecting appropriate techniques and materials. Emphasis will be given to the development of literacy in young children. 10 hours of field experience is required. Sem. II only.

Educ-361 Literacy Instruction, Assessment and Intervention (6)

Emphasizes 1) current theory, research, content, methodology, instructional materials, and classroom organization that relate to teaching the language arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and visually representing); 2) informal and formal assessment that determines reader strengths and needs for purposes of instruction and intervention. A field experience of 30 clock hours in elementary school literacy development is required. Prerequisites: Psy-210, 211.

Educ-362 Teaching the Christian Faith (2)

The course will enable participants to plan, develop, implement and evaluate religious instruction in Lutheran elementary schools and part-time agencies, such as mid-week school. Particular attention is given to the goals of church education, planning skills, methods, resource utilization, and curriculum concerns of teaching the Christian faith. Prerequisites: junior standing or special permission.

Educ-363 The Teacher Laboratory—Elementary Methods (6)

The Teacher Laboratory emphasizes the preparation for the teaching of mathematics, science, social studies and music. The student is involved with others in the process of continual development of attitudes, knowledge and skills needed by classroom teachers as they plan, present and evaluate their lessons and class management. Development of attitudes conducive to projection of a professional image is also an important part of the laboratory experiences. The course consists of in-class sessions, field contact with local schools and some self-paced learning. It is designed to assist prospective teachers in making the transfer to the role of a full teaching professional. The course requires a 40 hour per week commitment.

Educ-364 The Teacher Laboratory—Middle Level Methods (3)

This course emphasizes the preparation for the teaching of mathematics, science, and social studies in the middle level classroom. The student is involved with others in the process of continual development of attitudes, knowledge and skills needed by classroom teachers as they plan, present and evaluate their lessons and class management.

Educ-367 Methods in Secondary Modern Languages* (2)

Exploration of teaching methodologies and curricular materials. Course organization, selection of content, methods of evaluation, and close examination of a variety of teaching models involving conversation, reading, and writing of a modern language. II Sem. only.

Educ-368 Methods in Computer Science* (2)

Methods, materials, and philosophy to equip the student to teach computer science at any level, to support the use of the computer in the whole school, and to manage the school computer lab. Learning and using LOGO is a major component of this course.

Educ-369 Methods in Secondary Business Education* (2)

Instruction and practice in determining what to teach in the basic business courses in secondary schools and how to teach that content, including resources for effective teaching. II Sem. only.

Educ-370 Content Area Literacy* (3)

Considers the processes of reading in the various subject matter fields by which one recognizes words, copes with specialized vocabulary, comprehends, and uses printed information. Stresses the location of the student’s present reading levels, the selection of instructional techniques to fit the learning style of the student, and the choice of materials appropriate for the ability level, reading levels, and interests of the secondary student. Assists the pre-service teacher in learning how to integrate the teaching of reading skills while teaching specific content. I Sem. only. A field experience of 30 clock hours is required.

Educ-371 Methods in Secondary English* (2)

Examines current research, theory, and practice in the teaching of secondary English/Language Arts. Presents topics related to philosophy, content, methodology, course organization, evaluation, and assessment. Special attention to problems of the profession and concerns of the future English teacher. Connects instructional theory and practice with student teaching I practicum.

Educ-372 Methods in Secondary Social Studies* (2)

Purposes of the secondary social studies program. A rationale for social studies in the Lutheran high school. Recent developments in social studies curricula-organizations, methods, materials.

Educ-373 Methods in Secondary Science* (2)

Methods, philosophy, and materials for effective science teaching in the Christian context. Principles of teaching and evaluation, course organization, the structure of science content, inquiry methods, laboratory problems, and the curricular “teaching packages.”

Educ-374 Methods in Secondary Mathematics* (2)

Methods, philosophy, and materials for effective mathematics teaching in the Christian context. Principles of teaching and evaluating, course organization, the structure of mathematics, heuristic methods, and the newer modern programs.

Educ-375 Methods in Secondary Music* (2)

Teaching music in the high school. A synthesis of theoretical and practical aspects of the music program and its application to present day secondary school teaching. I Sem. only.

Educ-376 Methods in Secondary Physical Education* (2)

Methodological approaches to the teaching of physical education. Special attention is devoted to the implications of the growth and development of the secondary school student for curriculum development, program planning, and instructional techniques.

Educ-377 Secondary Methods in Art Education* (2)

Philosophical and practical direction in methods and techniques used in teaching art on the high school level. Prerequisites: Art-103, 203 and 301. II Sem. only.

Educ-378 Methods in Secondary Speech/Drama* (2)

Theory, methods, and materials for effective teaching of Speech/Drama in the secondary school. A rationale for Speech/Drama in a Lutheran high school and the state of the field education. Principles of teaching and evaluation leading from a study of the current research in communication education and theatre will be included to enable the secondary Speech/Drama teacher to develop and implement an effective Speech/Drama curriculum. II Sem. only.

Educ-379 Methods in Secondary Religion* (2)

Exploration of teaching methodologies and curricular materials. Course organization, selection of content, methods of evaluation, the critical examination of current models of Bible study, and the role of the religion curriculum in the Lutheran high school are stressed. I Sem. only.

*Secondary methods are taught the first eight weeks of the semester and must be completed simultaneously with Student Teaching I.

Educ-380 Student Teaching in Pre-Kindergarten (10)

Students are assigned to teach at the pre-kindergarten level under the supervision of a classroom teacher and a university supervisor. Prerequisites: Full admission to teacher education and approval of the Director of Elementary Student Teaching. P/F

Educ-381a/b Student Teaching I/II in the Kindergarten (4–6)

Student teachers are assigned to specific supervisors in the level selected. Experiences on various levels are provided to the students. Students are required to take Educ-381a first. P/F

Educ-382a/b Student Teaching I/II in the Primary Grades (4–6)

See description for Educ-381a/b. P/F

Educ-383a/b Student Teaching I/II in the Intermediate Grades (4–6)

See description for Educ-381a/b. P/F

Educ-384a/b Student Teaching I/II in the Upper Grades (4–6)

See description for Educ-381a/b. P/F

Educ-385a/b Student Teaching I/II in the Secondary School (4–6)

Students are assigned to teach grades 9-12 under the direction of the supervising teacher(s) in the students’ teaching field(s). Students are required to take Educ-385a first. P/F

Educ-386a/b Student Teaching I/II in K-12 (Music, Art, HPE) (4–6)

Students are assigned to teach at the elementary and secondary levels, in the area of their teaching field. Students are required to take Educ-386a first. P/F

Educ-388 Youth Ministry Theory and Methods (3)

A course which provides students an opportunity to reflect upon an ongoing youth ministry involvement while developing parish-based youth work competencies and enriching their cognitive understanding of youth culture, varying models of youth ministry, current synodical resources, and the theology that underlies this activity.

Educ-396a/b Student Teaching I/II Middle Level (10)

Students are assigned to teach grades 4-9 under the direction of the supervising teacher(s) and university supervisor, in the students’ teaching field(s). P/F

Educ-399 ESL Student Teaching (3)

Students are assigned to teach under the supervision of a classroom teacher and a university supervisor in settings that require application of skills and principles developed in the ESL curriculum. P/F

Educ-401 Middle Level Instruction (3)

With a focus on the teaching-learning process in various content and skills areas as it pertains to middle level education, technology and resources are considered. Techniques of assessment and evaluation, classroom management, communication with parents and student advising are incorporated. Prerequisite: Educ-311, Senior standing. Sem. I only.

Educ-402 Middle Level Program and Curriculum (1)

An examination of the current curriculum, history, and philosophy of middle level education. Leadership, organization, planning, implementation of middle level components are further explored and applied to student teaching assignments. Prerequisites: Educ- 311. Sem II only; concurrent with Student Teaching I.

Educ-424 Teaching Diverse Learners (2)

This course is designed to provide pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills to implement appropriate assessment and instructional strategies for students with special needs in the regular classroom setting. Special attention will be given to addressing specific learning needs and developing inclusive techniques. 20 hours of field experience is required.

Educ-425A English as a Second Language/Foreign Language Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment (3)

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the theory and practice of ELL/foreign language learning and teaching, curriculum selection, evaluation, and development as well as assessment of English and foreign language learners. Specific topics focus on the particulars of a pluralistic society, human relational dispositions needed to teach effectively in a pluralistic society, and the variety of approaches, methods, and techniques for teaching first and second language acquisition.

Educ-425B English as a Second Language/Foreign Language Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment (3)

A continuation of Educ-425A. Specific topics focus on theory, assessments, and teaching strategies for the developing second language learner. A practicum of 18 hours is required.

Educ-426 Language and Culture (3)

Language and culture are two multidimensional and constantly changing phenomena that are integrally connected to everything that happens in the world. As any language is culturally conditioned, any culture is linguistically defined. Therefore, the main goal of this course is to examine the relationship between language and culture, their influence on each other as well as their effect on community, identity, beliefs, and values. Prerequisite: Eng-231 and upper-level standing.

Educ-430 School, Community and Parent Involvement (2)

This course concentrates on the teacher’s role in building successful relationships between families, educators, schools and communities. Strategies for increasing respectful family-school partnerships that enhance children’s school success will be emphasized. Sem. I only. Upper level standing.

Educ-452 Early Childhood Program Organization and Management (3)

Organizing, planning, managing, and evaluating programs for young children. Day care and preprimary programs are the concerns of this course. Field trips to various agencies pertinent to families with young children, and experiences with families will be required. Sem. I only.

Educ-480 Practicum in DCE Ministries (1.5+1.5)

A course designed to expose DCE students to the history, philosophy, current research, and skills/attitudes of DCE ministry in addition to an on-site involvement with a DCE serving a congregation. Prerequisite: Admission to DCE program. (Course completed over two semesters earning 3 credit hours.)

Educ-481 Director of Christian Education Internship (12+12)

Upon admission to the DCE Internship, a student may be assigned to a congregation for 8 weeks to 12 months, depending on previous experience and future plans. This full-time, salaried internship may begin after the junior year, and once Educ-480 has been satisfactorily completed. P/NR (Course is completed over two semesters earning 24 credit hours.)

Educ-483 Leadership Development: Enabling Others to Lead and Teach (3)

Pertinent theories, models, and strategies from the fields of management, leadership training, group process and education will be surveyed and evaluated in the light of the Biblical witness and the content of the Lutheran Confessions for possible implementation within local parishes to enable lay persons to become more effective leaders and teachers. Prerequisite: upper-level standing.

Educ-484 Confirmation Planning and Implementation (2)

The purpose, history, and structure of confirmation in the Lutheran Church is reviewed and assessed for the purpose of structuring and outlining implementation strategies for use in a local congregation. Adult and junior confirmation programs are considered. Prerequisite: upper-level standing.

Educ-485 Parish Education Program Administration (3)

An introduction to and exploration of the theory and processes associated with the administration of parish education programs. Special emphasis is placed on: idea generating, initiating change, leadership, promotion, evaluation, program planning, use of technology, creating ownership, explanation of pertinent systems, budget management, and curriculum review. Prerequisite: upperlevel standing.