Foundations of Academic Discovery serves as the entry point to the Rock Integrated Studies Program. With its strong faculty-student interaction, the course promotes intellectual inquiry, critical and creative thinking, and computer skills needed for academic success. Through varied content, the course introduces students to academic discourse and information literacy while exploring topics such as diversity and inclusion and global awareness. This course will set students along the path to becoming engaged with issues and scholarship important to a 21st century education while they learn about themselves and their place in the world.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Freshman 1 or Freshman 2.
Enrollment limited to students with the ROCK STUDIES 2 STUDENT or ROCK STUDIES STUDENT attributes.

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

This course is designed to introduce the student to the field of education. Topics covered include: the role of the teacher, structure and organization of schooling, and current issues and concerns relating to education.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Thematic Thread(s): Transfer Thread Completion Course

Selection, utilization and production of instructional materials. Equipment operation via self-instruction in the Media Lab.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

This course provides pre-service teachers with a knowledge base of the learning theories, with a special focus on the application of the psychological learning theories to the teaching and learning of the adolescent learner.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

An analysis of the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, moral, and other developmental processes which occur during the pre-adolescent/adolescent years, and affect his/her learning.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

This course is designed to introduce the middle level teaching candidate to reading across the content areas.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Every Term

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Mid Level-Engl&Lang Arts (4-8), Mid Level-Mathematics (4-8), Mid Level-Social Studies (4-8) or Middle Level-Science (4-8).

A study of multi-cultural issues in American education with emphasis on the theory and practice relating to race, religion, ethnicity, social class, gender, age, and exceptionality.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Thematic Thread(s): Cultural Literacy & Community Building, Human Diversity & Well-Being, Institutions & Human Innovations, Transfer Thread Completion Course

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

This course provides pre-service teachers with a knowledge base of the various factors which affect the learning, cognition, and cognitive development of the pre-adolescent learner.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Students will explore curriculum models, teaching materials, technology and best teaching practices for enhancing middle school students'' mathematical understanding.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Every Term

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

The development and refinement of teaching competencies particularly related to the teaching of secondary school social studies: history, political science, economics, geography and sociology/anthropology. The course will emphasize the development of social studies in the school, teaching methodology (post and current), the unit approach to teaching social studies, media uses and preparation of media materials, teaching techniques, professional organizations, and teaching aids and materials such as computers, television and simulation programs.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

The development and refinement of teaching competencies particularly related to instruction in secondary school language arts, including English. The course also emphasizes English curriculum, teaching strategies and methodologies and the use of media in content presentation.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Theory and methodology for teaching world languages throughout the K-12 curriculum.

Prerequisite: SEFE 200^D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

A course designed to acquaint the prospective teacher at any level with the methodology used to teach English to native speakers of other languages. Also acquaints students with the specialized procedures used when teaching in bilingual classrooms (any two languages) on any level.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

Focusing on middle school teaching in grades 4 through 8, this course examines the organization, curriculum, instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, and teaching methods for working with young adolescents. Also covered are middle level guidance, exploratories, scheduling, and parent-school relations.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

A course designed to acquaint the prospective teacher at any level with the methodology used to teach English Language Learners.  Topics include linguistic and cultural diversity, standard-based instruction, assessment, and professionalism.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1 may not enroll.

This course is designed to provide prospective secondary teachers with the opportunity to design and teach lessons using basic instructional models and teaching strategies. The role of reading, writing, and oral communication in the teaching/learning of secondary content is also addressed. Following microteaching episodes, students reflect upon and analyze the teaching processes to clarify instructional values and to encourage critical inquiry.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Designed for pre-service middle school teachers, focusing on grades 4 through 8, this multifaceted course compiles well-researched and essential information on social studies education. The course uses the standards recommended by the National Council for the Social Studies and the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a foundation, thoroughly discussing the core disciplines and thematic strands of social studies. The knowledge base is packed with useful information on an all-encompassing range of teaching methods and tools, including lesson planning, skills development, assessment, multiple intelligences, determining one''s personal philosophy of education, and utilizing information technology.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

This course provides pre-service upper elementary and/or middle-level teachers, focusing on grades 4 through 8, with the relevant teaching strategies and content for English pedagogy.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Assessment skills, extensive practice, and the application of assessment results to design effective individualized interventions are essential middle level teaching skills. Successful demonstration of these abilities is an expected outcome through the PDE 430, Pennsylvania Statewide Evaluation Form for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice. Assessment knowledge has an important role in the standards and rubrics adopted by the National Middle School Association (NMSA). The "Assessment in a Standards Aligned System" section of this document has an overview of the types of assessments used in the Pre K-12 settings and competencies for all professional education candidates.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring & Winter Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

This course provides the knowledge-base of (behavior, social learning, cognitive, constructivist and humanistic) learning theories, as applied in the context of diverse teaching and learning environments. The content also includes the topics of assessment, evidence-based research methods, motivational theories, and classroom management skills to enable the pre-service teacher to create effective learning environments for diverse learning contexts.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

Students will explore curriculum models, teaching materials, technology and best teaching practices for enhancing middle school students’ understanding in science.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Objectives for testing and evaluation; construction and analysis of classroom tests for evaluative and diagnostic purposes; construction and application of non-test tools for assessment, including portfolios; statistical analysis of testing and measurement data; use of standardized tests in the classroom; and the use of computers.

Prerequisite: SEFE 200^D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

An examination of the language processes and their connection to learning content in secondary school. Based on the understanding of language and learning processes, future secondary teachers learn to employ teaching strategies that both enhance learning and improve reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Required of all secondary majors.

Credits: 2

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Critical exploration of the philosophical issues and historical antecedents that form the bases for past and current American educational practice in a multicultural society.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

This course examines the connections between the American education system and social activism in the United States. This includes contrasting theories relating to the purpose of public education, historical analysis of cases in which the education system played an active role either in supporting social change or in reinforcing social order, and a critical reflection upon current education reforms in the United States.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Thematic Thread(s): Institutions & Human Innovations, Transfer Thread Completion Course, United Stated in Global Context

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior 1, Junior 2, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

American educational policies and practices are viewed within a global context. Undergraduate students, who will become parents and taxpayers, are introduced to the core social and educational institution in developed or developing societies: the school.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Thematic Thread(s): Institutions & Human Innovations, Transfer Thread Completion Course

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

Designed to give middle-level majors a pre-student teaching field experience in the middle level grades under the supervision of a University faculty member.

Credits: 1

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Designed to give SEFE majors a pre-student teaching field experience in a middle-level or secondary classroom within the grade-level and content area of their degree program under the supervision of a university faculty member.

Credits: 1

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

This course is designed to help secondary teachers apply theoretical models to classroom management and to the teaching of reading and writing in content area classrooms. Additionally, the principles of school law as they apply to classroom teachers will be examined. Finally, the course will be taken concurrently with student teaching to facilitate the integration of theory with practice.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Under the guidance of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor, students engage in two eight- week assignments on a full-time basis in specified school districts and attend scheduled seminars. Supervisors assign additional requirements.

Credits: 3-12

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Under the guidance of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor, teacher candidates engage in two eight-week assignemnts on a full-time basis in specified school districts at the middle level and also attend scheduled seminars. University supervisors assign additional requirements.

Credits: 12

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Enrollment limited to students with the ACCEPTANCE - TEACHER CANDIDACY attribute.

Independent Study courses give students the opportunity to pursue research and/or studies that are not part of the university's traditional course offerings. Students work one on one or in small groups with faculty guidance and are typically required to submit a final paper or project as determined by the supervising professor.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.