Course Descriptions

EDCI - Curriculum & Instruction
COE 278, (406) 657-2315

The College of Education has designed its professional preparation programs to include a series of sequentially arranged field-based experiences.  Depending on the degree option, these field-based experiences may be referred to as internships, practica, clinics, or supervised field experiences.  Each field-based course requires, as a minimum, 45 contact hours per semester credit hour.  Some programs, due to national or state accreditation requirements or Departmental policy, may require additional contact hours beyond the minimum requirement.  Students should clarify requirements with the faculty advisor prior to registration.

Students are encouraged to make application 12 weeks prior to the semester in which the clinical or field-based experience is to be completed.  Applications are available in the Certification and Field Experiences Office, first floor Room 114, COE.

EDCI 210 Educational Technology Applications (TN) 2 cr.  Prepares students to use computer applications in the classroom, including adaptive technology, databases, multimedia, telecommunications, and word processing.

EDCI 290 Internship V 1-5 cr. Prerequisites: consent of department chairperson.  Provides freshman and sophomores with a supervised experience in an area of the school program.  In-field contact time is 45 hours per semester credit.  Field placements are arranged through the Office of Certification and Field Experiences.  This course is offered as a Pass/No Pass course only.

EDCI 291 Independent Study V 1-3 cr. Prerequisites: consent of the faculty supervisor and advisor.  Provides an opportunity for freshman and sophomore students of superior academic standing to explore material not covered by the regular college courses.

EDCI 292 Seminar V 1-3 cr.  Investigates intensively topics pertinent to the area of Education.

EDCI 293 Workshop V 1-5 cr.  Provides an opportunity for experimental study in an area of Education.

EDCI 294 Clinic V 1-5 cr. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.  Provides freshman and sophomores with an opportunity to explore and develop applications of study in a particular area.  Uses selected students for demonstration purposes.  In-field contact time is 45 hours per semester credit.  Field placements are arranged through the Office of Certification and Field Experiences.

EDCI 300 Curriculum Theory and Design (TN) (WR) 3 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education program.  Introduces pre-service elementary and middle school teachers to the various historical, philosophical, psychological, sociological and developmental concerns in designing school curricula.  Philosophies of and practical strategies for integration of computer technologies and multicultural perspectives in to curricula are explored.

EDCI 301 Teaching Language Arts and Children’s Literature (WR) 4 cr. Prerequisites: EDCI 300, admission to Teacher Education Program, and Academic Foundations categories Writing Skills and Oral Skills completed.  Provides strategies for integration of reading, writing, listening, and speaking across the curriculum.  Examines children’s tradebooks: selection and application, genre, structures, themes, developmental appropriateness, authors and illustrators and author intent.  Provides hands-on experiences with literature study, thematic unit development, reader response and development of reader experience with text, writing process and forms of writing, evaluation of student writing, grammar teaching and intervention for development of expressive effectiveness

EDCI 302 Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School (TN) 3 cr. Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education Program, EDCI 300 and completion of History, Social Science and Global Studies categories of Academic Foundations or equivalencies.  Includes theories and practices for teaching social studies in the elementary and middle school.  Students plan for teaching social science concepts and skills using developmentally and culturally appropriate instructional practices, involvement learning strategies, and a variety of evaluation procedures.  Techniques for collaborating with professional colleagues and integrating multimedia computer technologies into social studies instruction are included in the course.

EDCI 303 Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (TN) 3 cr. Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education.  Provides preservice elementary teachers with theories and practical strategies for planning, facilitating, and assessing student learning.  Also, the course deals with incorporation of technology into the elementary mathematics classroom and the appropriate use of manipulatives and other instructional materials.  Curriculum adaptation to meet the needs of all students is addressed.

EDCI 304 Teaching Science in the Elementary School (TN) 3 cr. Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education and EDCI 300.  Focuses upon methods of teaching science inquiry skills, content and attitudes in the elementary classroom.  Provides experiences which enhance student understanding of how children learn science and construct knowledge regarding K-6 science curricula.  Addresses curriculum adaptation to meet the needs of all students.

EDCI 305 Teaching Art in the Elementary School (TN) 3 cr. Prerequisites: ART 101, EDCI 300.  Examines the purposes, media, and teaching strategies of art at elementary and middle school levels.  Studio, aesthetics, criticism and history topics addressed as separate topics and linked to other disciplines.  Includes technology, individualization/collaboration, developmentally appropriate practice, planning and assessment components directed at art instruction.  (Lab fee).

EDCI 306 Teaching Music in the Elementary School 3 cr. Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education, MUSC 100, and EDCI 300. (TN)  Examines the purposes, materials, and teaching methodologies of music as a separate discipline and as a program within the 3 curriculum models (technical, practical and critical).  Links with other elementary school disciplines provided.  Performance, aesthetic, and historical topics are also included.

EDCI 310 Curriculum and Instruction for Middle School, High School, & K-12 Teachers (TN) (WR) 3 cr. Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education, Technology Competence.  Introduces middle school, high school, and K-12 pre-service teachers to several major curriculum models and a variety of instructional practices appropriate for use with preadolescent and adolescent students in contemporary school settings.  Teaches students to integrate technology and multicultural issues into the curriculum.  (Lab fee).

EDCI 312 Teaching Social Studies in the Middle and Secondary School (TN) 3 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: EDCI 310.  Prepares pre-service teachers to teach middle and high school students the fields of history and the social sciences.  Students explore major models used in teaching social studies and current curriculum trends and instructional strategies in the field.  Students learn how to plan, organize, teach, and assess lessons and units which integrate contemporary practices such as computer technology and cooperative learning.  All students complete 45 hours of social studies secondary junior field experience in an instructional setting.

EDCI 313 Teaching Mathematics in the Middle and Secondary School (TN) 3 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: EDCI 310.  Prepares pre-service teachers to teach mathematics to middle and secondary school students.  Classroom laboratory work is an integral component of the course.  All students complete 45 hours of mathematics secondary junior field experience in an instructional setting.

EDCI 314 Teaching Science in the Middle and Secondary School (TN) 3 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: EDCI 310.  Emphasizes teaching strategies, learning enhancements, school problems, safety procedures, and curriculum materials regarding the teaching of science in the middle and secondary schools.  All students complete 45 hours of science secondary junior field experience in an instructional setting.

EDCI 315 Teaching Art K-12 (TN) 4 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: EDCI 310.  Provides pre-service K-12 art teachers with theories and practical strategies for planning, facilitating and assessing student learning as these relate to main curricular models.  Art production, history/heritage, criticism and aesthetics are addressed from age appropriate perspectives and as related to other disciplines.  Field experience is a focus.  Presents an overview of technology, inclusion of special populations, health/safety aspects and art related career opportunities.  All students complete 45 hours of art secondary junior field experience in an instructional setting.

EDCI 316 Teaching Music K-12 3 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: EDCI 310.  Provides the student with the methods and materials necessary for teaching music in a K-12 setting.  Specifically, the areas to be covered are:  elementary general music, elementary instrumental music, middle school instrumental and choral music, and high school instrumental and choral music.  All students complete 45 hours of music secondary junior field experience in an instructional setting.

EDCI 317 Teaching Speech and Drama in the Middle and Secondary School 3 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: EDCI 310.  Introduces middle and secondary speech and drama pre-service teachers to major curriculum models, instructional strategies and contemporary practices.  Teaches students to plan, organize, teach and assess speech and drama lessons.  All students complete 45 hours of speech and drama secondary junior field experience in an instructional setting.

EDCI 319 Teaching Foreign Languages K-12 3 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education program and junior standing in major/minor. Corequisite: EDCI 310.  Examines the unique set of concerns and challenges facing the K-12 teachers of foreign languages.  Instruction is offered in: language acquisition practice, classroom teaching techniques, curricular design, testing and evaluation, media-based instruction and technology, instructional materials development, and classroom behavioral management.  All students complete 45 hours of Language secondary junior field experience in an instructional setting.

EDCI 385 Junior Field Experience 2 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education program or consent of instructor. Corequisite: coregistration with at least two of EDCI 301, EDCI 302, EDCI 303, EDCI 304 or EDCI 305.  Students will engage in 90 hours of supervised practical experience in an elementary classroom.  This experience includes: structured observation focusing on cultural and developmental characteristics of children; working with teachers on individual diagnosis of student needs and prescription of student activities; and assisting small groups of students in accomplishing learning tasks.  This course is offered as a Pass/No Pass course only.

EDCI 403 Using Technology in School Mathematics 3 cr. Perquisites: Admission to Teacher Education Program; completion of EDCI 210 or equivalent; MATH 202, EDCI 300.  Deals with different technologies relevant to elementary school mathematics:  the Math Explorer calculator, the graphing calculator, and computer applications such as logo, Geometer’s Sketchpad, spreadsheets, and graphing software.  The appropriate integration of technology in mathematics instruction will be dealt with.

EDCI 407 Integrating Technology in the Curriculum (TN) 2 cr. Prerequisites: EDCI 210 and admission to Teacher Education program.  Focuses on advanced topics in educational computing, including the selection, evaluation, and integration of classroom and administrative software; integration of educational telecommunications; and the development of a plan for integrating technology at the building and district level.

EDCI 424 Teaching English 3 cr. Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education program. Corequisite: EDCI 310.  Prepares pre-service middle and secondary language arts teachers to implement instruction and facilitate and assess student learning.  Provides practice in using a variety of methods and approaches for teaching students to develop functional reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and critical thinking skills.  All students complete 45 hours of English secondary junior field experience in an instructional setting.

EDCI 429 Composition in the Elementary School 3 cr.  Traces the development of writing from scribbling through full narrative.  Students participate in the examination of children’s writing.  Current research on writing in the elementary school is discussed.

EDCI 430 Environmental Education for Teachers 3 cr.  Explores the philosophy and rationale for environmental education.  Considers the ecological foundations required of environmental studies programs and deals with issues in multidisciplinary curriculum design and instructional procedures.

EDCI 441 Multicultural Education 3 cr.  Acquaints students with the history, philosophy, goals, teaching strategies, curricula, and practices of multicultural education in order to prepare teachers for dealing with and affirming the diversity of America’s increasingly pluralistic classrooms.  Deals with racial, cultural, and other forms of diversity in the United States and Montana.

EDCI 443 Teaching the Bilingual/Multicultural Student 3 cr. Prerequisites: EDCI 300 and completion of NAMS 181.  Provides a basic background for multicultural and bilingual teaching.  Includes foundations and emphasis on the development of bilingual education, the development of minority group children, sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic issues, and the variety of program responses to addressing the needs of minority group children.  Also includes a theory-into-practice component which explores curricular approaches to the specific subject areas.

EDCI 445 Learning Mathematics and Science in Cross-Cultural Settings 3 cr.  Surveys the history of mathematical and scientific ideas from ancient times to the present day; explores the development of mathematical and scientific concepts in various cross-cultural settings; applies relevant research to the study of mathematical and scientific ideas among American Indians.

EDCI 484 Student Teaching (K-12) 9 cr. (8 credits student teaching, 1 credit seminar). Prerequisites: Approved application to student teach and coregister in EDF 450 if not completed.  Places the student in a supervised field experience in a K-12 setting that allows the student to demonstrate teaching skills in the classroom with a variety of learners.  Students, in collaboration with the mentor teacher, engage students in learning and participate in related experiences associated with the teaching profession.  On-site mentoring and university supervision are integral to this experience.  Students participate in the Capstone Seminar scheduled throughout the professional semester.  Lab fee required.

EDCI 485 Student Teaching (Elementary) 9 or 12 cr. (8/11 credits student teaching, 1 credit seminar). Prerequisites: Approved application to student teach and co-registration in EDF 450 if not completed.  Places the student in a supervised field experience in an elementary setting that allows the student to demonstrate teaching skills in the classroom with a variety of learners.  Students, in collaboration with the mentor teacher, engage students in learning and participate in related experiences associated with the teaching profession.  On-site mentoring and university supervision are integral to this experience.  Students participate in the Capstone Seminar scheduled throughout the professional semester.  Lab fee required.

EDCI 486 Student Teaching (Secondary) 9 cr. (8 credits student teaching, 1 credit seminar). Prerequisites: Approved application to student teach and co-registration in EDF 450 if not completed.  Places the student in a supervised field experience in a secondary setting that allows the student to demonstrate teaching skills in the classroom with a variety of learners.  Students, in collaboration with the mentor teacher, engage students in learning and participate in related experiences associated with the teaching profession.  On-site mentoring and university supervision are integral to this experience.  Students participate in the Capstone Seminar scheduled throughout the professional semester.  Lab fee required.

EDCI 490 Internship V 1-5 cr. Prerequisite: Consent of department chairperson.  Provides experience in a responsible appointment as an assistant in some specialized area of the college program.  In-field contact time is 45 hours per semester credit.  Field placements are arranged through the Office of Certification and Field Experiences.

EDCI 491 Independent Study V 1-3 cr. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education program, and consent of faculty supervisor and advisor.  Provides an opportunity for students of superior academic standing to explore material not covered by the regular college courses.

EDCI 492 Seminar V 1-3 cr.  Investigates intensively topics pertaining to an area of Education.

EDCI 493 Workshop V 1-5 cr.  Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education program.  Provides an opportunity for experimental study in an area of Education.

EDCI 494 Clinic V 1-5 cr. Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education program or Consent of department chairperson, and consent of faculty supervisor.  Provides an opportunity through use of selected pupils to explore and develop applications of theoretical study in particular area.  In-field contact time is 45 hours per semester credit.  Field placements are arranged through the Certification and Field Experiences Office, Room 114, COE.

Graduate Level Courses

The following are graduate level courses.  Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for the course descriptions.

EDCI 500 Curriculum Development 4 cr.
EDCI 520 Integrating Curriculum 3 cr.
EDCI 521 Teaching and Learning I: Thinking Strategies 3 cr.
EDCI 522 Teaching and Learning II: Discussion Techniques and Questioning Strategies 3 cr.
EDCI 528 Supervision Practices for Student Teachers 3 cr.
EDCI 531 Language Arts and Children's Literature in the Schools 3 cr.
EDCI 532 Instructional Strategies in Social Studies 3 cr.
EDCI 533 Instructional Strategies in Mathematics 3 cr.
EDCI 534 Instructional Strategies in Science 3 cr.
EDCI 535 Instructional Strategies in Art 3 cr.
EDCI 536 Instructional Strategies in Music 3 cr.
EDCI 540 Teaching and Learning in Middle School 3 cr.
EDCI 545 Integrating Mathematics and Science Curricula 3 cr.
EDCI 551 Instructional Strategies in Language Arts and Social Studies 4 cr.
EDCI 552 Instructional Strategies in Mathematics and Science 4 cr.
EDCI 553 Instructional Strategies in Movement, the Performing and Visual Arts 4 cr.
EDCI 560 Instructional Model and Strategies for Teaching Students Who Are Gifted and Talented 3 cr.
EDCI 570 Computers in Education 2 cr.
EDCI 571 Integrating Technology into School Curriculum 3 cr.
EDCI 572 History, Theory, and Research of Educational Technology 3 cr.
EDCI 573 Instructional Design 3 cr.
EDCI 590 Internship V 1-6 cr.
EDCI 592 Seminar V 1-6 cr.
EDCI 593 Workshop V 1-6 cr.
EDCI 594 Clinic V 1-6 cr.
EDCI 597 Contemporary Issues in Teacher Education 3 cr.
EDCI/SPED 600 Facilitating Positive Behaviors in the Classroom Environment 3 cr. 
EDCI 610 Curriculum Theory: Analysis and Practice 3 cr.
EDCI 648 Teaching Mathematics to Learners with Special Needs 3 cr.
EDCI 672 Instructional Materials Design 3 cr.
EDCI 673 Distance Education and Web Based Learning 3 cr.
EDCI 674 Design and Use of Multimedia 3 cr.
EDCI 675 Computer Programming for Education 3 cr.
EDCI 690 Internship V 1-6 cr.
EDCI 691 Independent Study V 1-6 cr.
EDCI 697 Critical Issues in Education 3 cr.
EDCI/EDF 698 Directed Research Project 3 cr.
EDCI 699 Thesis 6 cr.

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