Course descriptions index


Education: Secondary Education

EDSC 402  3 Credits
Methods of Teaching in the Secondary School
Focus on methodologies appropriate for teaching middle and high school students in a variety of settings. Candidates explore the structure of schools, the nature of their audiences and will plan, implement and assess both teacher and student centered instructional strategies. Includes Alaska Content/Performance Standards. (Prerequisites: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 407  3 Credits
Developing Literacy in the Content Areas
Preparation for secondary teachers (middle school, junior and senior high school) to integrate listening, speaking, reading, writing and viewing strategies into a content area of the classroom. Candidates examine and evaluate learning theories related to literacy development and varied methods of instruction and assessment to help design and develop and appropriate pedagogical model for teaching. (Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate secondary post-baccalaureate program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Summer


EDSC 414  3 Credits
Learning, Development and Special Needs Instruction
(Stacked with EDSC 614)
Provides a survey of learning theory, adolescent development and special needs instruction. Attention will be given to the cognitive, social and moral theories of development, and to current theories of learning. Consideration will be given to cultural and individual differences among learners including those with special needs. Graduate candidates complete different requirements to justify graduate credit. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Summer


EDSC 415  3 Credits
Foundations of Modern Educational Practice
Historical, political, sociological and curricular foundations of secondary education in the U.S. with particular attention to Alaska. For pre-service teachers to understand and reflect on the teaching profession at the secondary level and to explore current issues and controversies confronting education at national, state and local levels. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Summer


EDSC 424  3 Credits
Culturally Responsive Small School Programs for Alaska
Exploration of effective programs in small rural schools and in urban schools utilizing school-within-a-school and multi-age models. Emphasis on interdisciplinary models and innovative programs with multi-cultural perspectives. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


EDSC 431  3 Credits
Secondary Instruction and Assessment in the Content Area
(Stacked with EDSC 631)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in the candidate's specific content area. Course is taught by content specialists. Discusses current issues, methodologies and teaching strategies specific to the various disciplines. Graduate candidates complete different requirements to justify graduate credit. Note: EDSC 431 may be taken 3 times for a total of 9 credits when content changes. A maximum of 9 credits may be earned. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 432  3 Credits
English/Language Arts Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 632)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in English/language arts. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, methodologies and teaching strategies specific to English/language arts. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 433  3 Credits
Mathematics Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 633)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in mathematics. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, diverse methodologies and practical application lessons for mathematics teaching. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 434  3 Credits
Science Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 634)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in science. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, diverse methodologies, inquiry-based lessons, laboratory experiences and field trips for science teaching. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 435  3 Credits
Social Studies Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 635)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in social science. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, diverse methodologies, project-based activities and community-as-laboratory experiences for social studies teaching. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 436  3 Credits
Art Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 636)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in art. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, methodologies and teaching strategies specific to arts. Graduate candidates complete different requirements to justify graduate credit. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 442  3 Credits
Portfolio Preparation: Integrating Theory and Practice
(Stacked with EDSC 642)
Continued systematic collection of selected work. Portfolios document and provide evidence of professional development and achievement as beginning teachers relative to Alaska Teacher Standards and Alaska Student Content Standards, integrated with Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools. Portfolios are to show a wide range of knowledge, dispositions and skills using a variety of technologies including digital storage on CD. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


EDSC 457  3 Credits
Multicultural Education and School-Community Relations
(Stacked with EDSC 657)
Addressing issues of diversity is particularly significant in teacher education. Focus on philosophy and premises underlying multiculturalism in teacher education, as well as the development of attitudes and behaviors to help those involved deal directly, ethically, and effectively with others in the education community in Alaska. Pedagogical practice including instructional strategies that promote these goals will be stressed. Candidates will examine their philosophy of teaching that defines practice in the classroom and discuss current education issues in the U.S. including urban and rural Alaska. Graduate candidates complete different requirements to justify graduate credit. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


EDSC 458  3 Credits
Classroom Organization and Management
(Stacked with EDSC 658)
Focus on establishment of a positive learning environment, development of a successful discipline plan consistent with an educator's philosophy of education and a review of the major discipline models. Candidates will examine the role that factors such as culture, gender, interest, ability and exceptionality play in student's behavior. Candidates will study techniques to maintain positive student-teacher interactions in the classroom and establish a positive relationship with parents. Candidates develop strategies to incorporate local knowledge and community culture in classroom practice. Graduate candidates complete different requirements to justify graduate credit. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 471  3 Credits
Secondary Teaching: School Internship I and Seminar
Supervised observation and teaching in secondary schools approved by the School of Education. Seminar topics may include: special attention to school-community relations, special needs, curriculum development, teaching strategies and the integration of technology across the curriculum. The School of Education may limit enrollment, determine assignments and cancel registration of candidates doing unsatisfactory work. Candidates serving internships are charged a $150 fee per semester. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (1 + 0 + 25) Offered Fall


EDSC 472  3 Credits
Secondary Teaching: School Internship II and Seminar
Supervised observation and teaching in secondary schools approved by the School of Education. Seminar topics may include: special attention to school-community relations, special needs, curriculum development, teaching strategies and the integration of technology across the curriculum. The School of Education may limit enrollment, determine assignments and cancel registration of candidates doing unsatisfactory work. Candidates serving internships are charged a $150 fee per semester. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (1 + 0 + 35) Offered Spring


EDSC 614  3 Credits
Learning, Development and Special Needs Instruction
(Stacked with EDSE 414)
Provides a survey of learning theory, adolescent development and special needs instruction. Attention will be given to the cognitive, social and moral theories of development and to current theories of learning. Consideration will be given to cultural and individual differences among learners including those with special needs. Graduate candidates complete different requirements to justify graduate credit. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Summer


EDSC 631  3 Credits
Secondary Instruction and Assessment in the Content Area
(Stacked with EDSC 431)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in the candidate's specific content area. Course is taught by content specialists. Discusses current issues, methodologies and teaching strategies specific to the various disciplines. Graduate candidates complete different requirements to justify graduate credit. A maximum of 9 credits may be earned. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 632  3 Credits
English/Language Arts Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 432)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in English/language arts. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, methodologies and teaching strategies specific to English/language arts. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 633  3 Credits
Mathematics Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 433)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in mathematics. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, diverse methodologies and practical application lessons for mathematics teaching. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 634  3 Credits
Science Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 434)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in science. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, diverse methodologies, inquiry-based lessons, laboratory experiences and field trips for science teaching. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 635  3 Credits
Social Studies Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 435)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in social science. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, diverse methodologies, project-based activities and community-as-laboratory experiences for social studies teaching. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 636  3 Credits
Art Secondary Instruction and Assessment
(Stacked with EDSC 436)
Methodologies of instruction and assessment in art. Course is taught by content specialists. Includes discussion of current issues, methodologies and teaching strategies specific to arts. Graduate candidates complete different requirements to justify graduate credit. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


EDSC 642  3 Credits
Portfolio Preparation: Integrating Theory and Practice
(Stacked with EDSC 442)
Continued systematic collection of selected work. Portfolios document and provide evidence of professional development and achievement as beginning teachers relative to Alaska Teacher Standards and Alaska Student Content Standards, integrated with Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools. Portfolios are to show a wide range of knowledge, dispositions and skills using a variety of technologies including digital storage on CD. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


EDSC 657  3 Credits
Multicultural Education and School-Community Relations
(Stacked with EDSC 457)
Addressing issues of diversity is particularly significant in teacher education. Focus on philosophy and premises underlying multiculturalism in teacher education, as well as the development of attitudes and behaviors to help those involved deal directly, ethically and effectively with others in the education community in Alaska. Pedagogical practice including instructional strategies that promote these goals will be stressed. Candidates will examine their philosophy of teaching that defines practice in the classroom and discuss current education issues in the U.S. including urban and rural Alaska. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


EDSC 658  3 Credits
Classroom Organization and Management
(Stacked with EDSC 458)
Focus on establishment of a positive learning environment, development of a successful discipline plan consistent with an educator's philosophy of education and a review of the major discipline models. Candidates will examine the role that factors such as culture, gender, interest, ability and exceptionality play in student's behavior. Candidates will study techniques to maintain positive student-teacher interactions in the classroom and establish a positive relationship with parents. Candidates develop strategies to incorporate local knowledge and community culture in classroom practice. (Prerequisite: Admission to the secondary post-baccalaureate licensure program or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall