The Education Department offers two kinds of courses, designated as Education Studies (EDST) and Education (EDUC). Education Studies courses are open to all Lawrence students and fulfill the General Education Requirement (GER) in social sciences. Students pursuing teacher certification should look under Teacher Certification for specific course requirements.

• Education Studies Courses
• Education Courses

 

Education Studies Courses

Courses in education studies (EDST) may be counted toward fulfilling the General Education Requirement (GER) in social sciences.

Please note: The course descriptions displayed here are current as of Thursday, the 20th of November 2008, but the official Course Catalog for 2008-2009 should be used for all official planning.

EDST 175
Education and the Liberal Arts
When people argue that a liberal arts education champions "learning for its own sake," what do they mean? Is such a thing possible or desirable? If so, how does it enable someone to survive in today's world? This course addresses the philosophical foundations, historical traditions, and contemporary debates associated with liberal arts education. It is intended for students interested in learning more about the significance of their Lawrence degree, particularly in a modern society in which technical knowledge and professionally-oriented courses of study seem ascendant. Units: 6.

EDST 180
Psychology of Learning
An investigation of how people learn. This course examines learning theories (e.g., behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, constructivist) and their implications for the educational process in schools. Other topics include learning and the brain, the nature of expertise, the design of learning environments, and approaches to instruction that promote meaningful learning. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Also listed as: Psychology 180.

EDST 190
Tutorial in Education Studies
Tutorial studies in the fields of educational policy, environmental education, history of education, comparative education and on various topics related to the social foundations of education. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required

EDST 199
Independent Study in Education Studies
Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required

EDST 240
History of Education in the U.S.
This course provides students with an overview of the development of educational institutions and practices within the U.S. over the last 230 years. The course will address key debates and turning points in American education, including contemporary issues such as school choice, accountability and assessment, and multicultural education. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 260
Philosophical Foundations of Education
This course provides students with an introduction to seminal texts, central questions, and rival traditions in the philosophy of education. Course readings take students on a journey from ancient Greece, through the Renaissance and Enlightenment, and into our (post)modern era—all of which have influenced the nature (i.e., aims, content, and process) of education as it is experienced today. Throughout the term, students are encouraged to consider how the course works assist them in developing a personal philosophy of education. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 310
Ethics and Education
What is ethics and how does it connect with morals? What do either have to do with the activities of teaching and learning? Students in this class confront such questions by exploring the role of moral decision-making in classroom practices, and by examining how the practice of education promotes certain notions of human flourishing. Particular attention is given to an analysis of the "ethics of teaching." Readings draw from classical and contemporary works associated with the disciplines of philosophy and of education. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 330
School and Society
This course focuses on the relationship between schools and the socio-political environments in which they exist. Students will consider the extent to which schools should be developed to meet the needs and expectations of the societies in which they are housed, as well as the role schools may play in fostering social change. We will study texts by classical political theorists such as Plato, Rousseau, and Kant, as well as works from 20th century scholars such as Dewey, Althusser, and Freire. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 340
Sociology of Education
An examination of the social foundations of education in the United States with particular attention paid to the cultural, political, and economic functions of education in modern society. Other topics include the reproductive function of schooling in a society divided along lines of race/ethnicity and class, schools as sites of cultural production, and the historical tension in the U.S. between “equality” and “excellence” in education. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 240. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 345
Distributed Cognition
Distributed cognition explores the role of the environment, artifacts, social interaction, and culture in human reasoning, problem-solving, and learning. Domains of study range from the sophisticated (ship navigation) to the everyday (time-telling). Emphasis is placed on studies of cognition in real-world settings. Units: 6. Also listed as: Psychology 345, Anthropology 345. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 350
Ethnicity, Cultural Diversity, and Education
A study of the experience of children and adolescents from different ethnic, cultural, and economic groups. Emphasis on understanding the social consequences of these differences and how such differences affect educational achievement and attainment. The sources and educational effects of individual, institutional, and systemic racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and discrimination will also be examined. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 241. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

EDST 390
Tutorial in Education Studies
Tutorial studies in the fields of educational policy, environmental education, history of education, comparative education and on various topics related to the social foundations of education. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required

EDST 399
Independent Study in Education Studies
Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required

EDST 400
The Environment, Community, and Education
A study of education, the creation and maintenance of community, and the development of ecological intelligence. Emphasis on how schools respond to their surroundings, the extent to which modern forms of education “fit” students to live in local communities, and the idea of community as a sense of place. Emphasis will also be placed on cultural assumptions about the environment implicit within the curriculum, the effect of schooling on students’ understanding of and relationship to the environment, and the role of education in promoting ecological and social sustainability. Units: 6. Also listed as: Environmental Studies 460. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

EDST 590
Tutorial in Education Studies
Tutorial studies in the fields of educational policy, environmental education, history of education, comparative education and on various topics related to the social foundations of education. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required

EDST 599
Independent Study in Education Studies
Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required

EDST 690
Tutorial in Education Studies
Tutorial studies in the fields of educational policy, environmental education, history of education, comparative education and on various topics related to the social foundations of education. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required

EDST 699
Independent Study in Education Studies
Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required

Education Courses

Please note: The course descriptions displayed here are current as of Thursday, the 20th of November 2008, but the official Course Catalog for 2008-2009 should be used for all official planning.

EDUC 190
Tutorial Studies in Education
Tutorial studies in the fields of educational psychology, learning theory, cognitive science, alternative education and on various topics related to teaching and learning. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

EDUC 199
Independent Study in Education
Advanced study arranged in consultation with the department. Students considering a senior honors project should register for this course. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

EDUC 210
Applied Psychology: Peer Education
Applied work in community psychology, carried out in conjunction with Counseling Services, in preparation toward becoming a Peer Educator. Focus is on learning strategies for assessing and developing community, group process, and communication. Students investigate topics such as interpersonal decision-making, sexual assault, and substance abuse. Through assigned readings, class discussions, presentations, and guest speakers, students will develop interpersonal facilitation skills, learn aspects of community and campus culture, and collaborate in the planning of educational programs. Units: 3. Also listed as: Psychology 210.

EDUC 295
ArtsBridge Seminar
A seminar on curriculum design applied through interaction with arts education in a K-12 classroom. Students will research curricular areas and content standards, design interdisciplinary lessons linking the arts to the core curriculum, and introduce their project to an assigned K-12 class. Practicum of 25 hours required. Units: 3. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

EDUC 390
Tutorial Studies in Education
Tutorial studies in the fields of educational psychology, learning theory, cognitive science, alternative education and on various topics related to teaching and learning. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

EDUC 399
Independent Study in Education
Advanced study arranged in consultation with the department. Students considering a senior honors project should register for this course. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

EDUC 430
Educating All Learners
This course focuses on two related topics: promoting effective reading and writing in school content areas and adapting instruction to learners with special needs. As part of the latter focus, students will explore various exceptionalities, legal requirements, school arrangements, and teacher practices. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Prerequisite: EDST 180 and junior standing

EDUC 431
Educating All Learners - Music
This course focuses on adapting instruction to learners with special needs. Students will explore various exceptionalities, legal requirements, school arrangements, and teacher practices. Practicum of 10 hours required. For music education students. Units: 3. Prerequisite: EDST 180, junior standing, and declared major in music education

EDUC 560
Methods in Middle and Secondary Teaching
A seminar on methods and organization of teaching particular subjects in the middle and secondary school, including English, social studies, mathematics, science, and theatre. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and admission to certification program

EDUC 563
Elementary and Secondary Foreign Language Methods
A seminar on teaching foreign languages in the elementary, middle, and secondary school. Emphasis on curriculum planning, methods of instruction, and assessment of learning. Issues related to classroom management and organization will be addressed. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and admission to certification program

EDUC 565
Methods, Materials, and Assessment in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
A seminar in teaching English to speakers of other languages in elementary, middle, and secondary school as well as in foreign language classrooms abroad. The course focuses on curriculum planning, methods of instruction, and assessment of learning for English language learners in diverse learning environments. Practicum of 20 hours required. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and consent of instructor

EDUC 590
Tutorial Studies in Education
Tutorial studies in the fields of educational psychology, learning theory, cognitive science, alternative education and on various topics related to teaching and learning. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

EDUC 599
Independent Study in Education
Advanced study arranged in consultation with the department. Students considering a senior honors project should register for this course. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

EDUC 650
Student Teaching (Middle and Secondary Schools)
Student teaching is normally taken during Term I, coinciding with the public school fall semester. A weekly seminar at Lawrence is required as part of this course. See department chair for prerequisites and for exceptions to the Term I requirement. Units: 18. Prerequisite: Senior standing and admission to certification program; contact department chair about prerequisites and corequisites

EDUC 660
Student Teaching Seminar
The seminar will engage students in critical reflection upon their student teaching experience. Concrete and theoretical problems having to do with teaching and learning will be explored (e.g., classroom management, assessment of pupil performance, curriculum design, instructional methods), as will issues having to do with educational policy and school organization. Units: 3. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 650 or consent of instructor

EDUC 690
Tutorial Studies in Education
Tutorial studies in the fields of educational psychology, learning theory, cognitive science, alternative education and on various topics related to teaching and learning. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

EDUC 699
Independent Study in Education
Advanced study arranged in consultation with the department. Students considering a senior honors project should register for this course. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

Recent tutorial topics in education
Educational Psychology: Motivation and Achievement
History of Education in the U.S.
Education and the Environment
Comparative Education: Japan and the U.S.
Educational Policy
Sociology of Sport: Athletics and Secondary Education