Education
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
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Governance and Decision-Making in Higher Education
SED AP 612
Online offering. Colleges and universities are large, complex, and oftentimes perplexing organizations. In this course, students examine the roles and responsibilities of trustees, presidents, administrators, faculty, and students in governance and decision-making; explore how decisions are made in a variety of functional areas (how they work): and, appreciate how institutional culture, organizational structures, and external factors influence decision-making. 4 cr.
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Leadership Seminar: Cultivating a Leadership Disposition II
SED AP 706
The second of three summer two-credit seminars, this course is designed to help students develop the personal and professional dispositions they need in order to exercise effective leadership in school- and district-based settings. Through an exploration of classic and current literature, students come to understand the ways in which research and practice interact and inform each other. The theoretical studies presented in this seminar are analyzed from the perspective of practitioners in a variety of educational settings, focusing on their real-life application to the challenges and opportunities educational leaders face every day. Class discussions, small group work, guest speakers, case studies, and presentations afford students the occasion to engage scholarship in an active and practical manner. 2 cr.
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Applied Positive Psychology
SED CE 630
Focuses on the scientific study of psychological aspects of living a fulfilling and flourishing life. Topics include happiness, empathy, optimism, friendship, goal setting, achievement, emotion, creativity, humor, and mindfulness. Students become familiar with theory and research in this relatively new subfield and critically consider application to their teaching, coaching, leadership, and/or counseling. 4 cr.
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Substance Abuse and Treatment
SED CE 769
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of substance abuse, its prevention practices, and treatment modalities. Using a biopsychosocial perspective, students learn the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other drugs, and the effects of substance abuse on individuals, families, and communities. 4 cr.
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Theories of Group Counseling
SED CE 847
A conceptual and experiential introduction to group dynamics. Participation in an ongoing training group while studying the dynamics of group development. Covers group counseling approaches and models, issues of small group leadership, and styles of leadership. Treatment of group counseling goals, composition, phases, and research. 4 cr.
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Family & Community Engagement for Teachers
SED CT 526
Explores the ways that schools can work closely with families, communities, and community agencies to increase connections and mutual assistance. Consistent with DESE regulations, this course emphasizes collaborative relationships with families and with community partners such as youth-serving organizations, health and safety agencies, and other groups and businesses. 4 cr.
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A Practical Approach to Classroom Management
SED CT 534
Designed to support middle and secondary teachers in developing a practical, effective, and low-stress approach to classroom management. Focuses on a classroom management system with four components: classroom structure, limit-setting, responsibility training, and back-up systems. Participants develop effective classroom management practices, break current "high cost" and ineffective strategies, and establish a proactive, positive classroom setting that maximizes time on learning and minimizes classroom disruptions. 2 cr.
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Classroom Assessment
SED CT 556
Online offering. Emphasizes principles and procedures of assessment that are of primary importance to educational practitioners. Includes diagnostic tests, construction of classroom tests, observation techniques, and performance measures; norm- and criterion-referenced assessment; uses of standardized tests, current issues, and controversies. 4 cr.
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Analysis and Design of Curriculum
SED CT 721
Online offering. Explores theoretical approaches to curriculum design. Students analyze and critique curricula through a critical lens, and develop their own original curriculum map and unit plan for a course in their area of teaching using principles of backward design. 4 cr.
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Teaching Deaf Literature and Visual Arts
SED DE 551
An applied course designed to highlight, review, and organize instructional practices as they apply to Deaf Literature and visual compositions. Students work to understand how ASL literature and visual arts can be integrated into a comprehensive approach to standards for composition and literature analysis. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Adolescent Development
SED DS 502
Explores understandings of cognitive, social-emotional, and identity development during adolescence, as well as the role that educators can play in fostering the mindsets, skillsets, character strengths, and contexts that adolescents need to grow into healthy and high-performing adults. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Social Inquiry I. 2 cr.
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Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction in the Elementary School
SED LR 551
Online offering. For beginning graduate students without experience in the teaching of reading. Study of reading development in childhood and early adolescence, and the implications for teaching and learning. Discussion of theory and research on effective instruction and assessment, and the application of both to teaching. Not open to students who have completed SED LR 501 or SED LR 503. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Language and Language Acquisition
SED LS 560
Online offering. Restricted to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Introduces the main aspects of first language acquisition from infancy through childhood. Topic areas include phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, discourse-pragmatics, language variation, multilingualism, child-directed speech, cognitive development, and theories of language acquisition. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Applied Linguistics: Language & Linguistics Survey
SED LS 565
An introduction to contemporary linguistics, including the study of language structure, language use and variation, and applied linguistics. Students explore the systematic yet complex nature of language by taking a scientific approach to thinking about language. The technical knowledge about language gained in this course will serve as a foundation for more advanced courses in linguistics and/or for any future language-related career. 4 cr.
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Second Language Acquisition
SED LS 658
Online offering. An examination of approaches and major theories of second language acquisition (SLA). What can be observed about how people acquire a second language? How do the various SLA theories, models, and hypotheses explain each of these observations? How can an understanding of SLA theory inform language instruction? This course explores foundational theories and approaches in SLA, investigating contemporary thinking from a variety of perspectives. Students develop knowledge and ideas of how languages are acquired, based on empirical research. 4 cr.
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Classroom Discourse
SED LS 690
Online offering. Focuses on discourse as a central component of teaching and learning, and strategies for building on students' linguistic and cultural backgrounds as learning assets. Examines instructional contexts, pedagogical approaches, and teacher talk moves to support instruction and students' conceptual understanding. 4 cr.
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Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Number Systems
SED ME 503
Designed for students who are preparing to become K-6 teachers. Students re-envision the teaching and learning of elementary mathematics by exploring these topics: place value, whole numbers and operations, fractions, decimals, and elementary number theory. 4 cr.
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Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Algebra, Geometry, Statistics
SED ME 504
Grad Prereq: (SED ME 503). Grad prereq: (SED ME 503). Designed for students majoring in elementary education, special education, and Deaf education who are preparing to teach children in grades 1-6. Students explore pre-algebra, proportional reasoning, geometry, measurement, and statistics. Students also examine their own mathematical identity and connect these ideas to the elementary classroom. 4 cr.
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Equitable Pedagogies in STEM Education
SED ME 530
Interrogates how race, class, language, and culture affect students' opportunities to learn mathematics and science. Different pedagogies (e.g., culturally responsive teaching, teaching for social justice) that target these opportunity gaps are introduced, discussed, and debated. 2 cr.
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Problem Solving in Mathematics
SED ME 563
Engages students in collaborative problem solving and problem posing while exploring the role of productive struggle in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Effective Spring 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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The Design of Secondary Mathematics Curriculum
SED ME 568
Considers how to design tasks that compel students to explore challenging mathematical ideas, make new connections, develop arguments and justifications, and spur curiosity and delight by examining the design principles of high-quality mathematics curriculum. 4 cr.
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Methods of Coaching
SED PE 501
Online offering. Principles and problems in coaching various individual and team sports. Theory and techniques in coaching including offensive and defensive strategy and scouting. Women's and men's sports. For further information, please call the Office of Distance Education at 617-358-1960. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Research
SED RS 600
Introduces students to social science research methods including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to education inquiry. Students develop skills in conducting literature searches, reading empirical research studies, and applying these methods. Students leave the course better able to critically examine research presented in the mass media, critically engage with research in the workplace, and participate in research-based efforts to improve education. 4 cr.
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Understanding and Applying Research
SED RS 615
Focuses on preparing education leaders and professionals to use evidence from published education research to inform decisions by surveying key concepts in research design, performance measurement, and data analysis. Students use their understanding of these key concepts to develop their skills in analyzing the quality and relevance of available research-based evidence. Emphasis is placed on understanding the core concepts needed to consume impact evaluations. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Science Education
SED SC 575
Provides an introduction to modern learning theory emphasizing inquiry learning in the classroom for science and engineering. The four-credit option includes a pre-practicum for pre-service teachers. Variable cr.
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Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction
SED SE 510
Designed to develop an understanding of the historical background and legal framework of special education, various disabilities (etiology, diagnostic criteria and process, and learner characteristics), and instructional practices and behavioral support strategies. For elementary and secondary content area teachers. 2 cr.
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Classroom and Behavior Management
SED SE 534
Prereq: (SED SE 250 or SED SE 706). Designed to develop an understanding of strategies for effective behavior management of students with and without disabilities. Positive behavioral intervention and supports (PBIS) are used as the framework for school-wide, classroom, and individualized approaches to provide positive and pro-active supports. 2 cr.
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Understanding Autism
SED SE 535
Describes the defining characteristics, school experiences, and evidence-based practices for teaching and supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Includes perspectives from individuals with ASD and their families. 2 cr.
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Introduction to Special Education
SED SE 706
Examines various disabilities (etiology, diagnostic process, impacts on students); analyzes the historical treatment of individuals with disabilities; discusses contemporary ethical issues; teaches federal legislation; develops an understanding of inclusive and culturally-/linguistically-responsive practices; covers federal legislation; and provides students with a foundational understanding of instructional and behavioral management strategies. 4 cr.
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Assessment In Special Education: Procedures
SED SE 751
Prereq: (SED SE 706) or equivalent. Online offering. Designed to develop the knowledge/skills related to the assessment of students who are in or being referred to special education. Includes legal requirements, culturally-/linguistically-responsive practices, various assessments in multiple domains, and procedures for administering tests, scoring, interpreting, and reporting. 4 cr.
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Teaching Media Literacy
SED SO 578
Students investigate research in (and develop classroom lessons for) media literacy. Students deepen their understanding of journalism and "fake news" (in the digital age) and how various forms of media can protect or undermine democracy. 4 cr.
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Teaching English Language Learners
SED TL 520
Focuses on current theory/research related to teaching English language learners and the implications for effective language, literacy, and content-area assessment and instructional practices in sheltered English immersion classrooms. For students seeking licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education. 4 cr.
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Teaching English Language Learners in Middle/High Schools
SED TL 525
Focuses on current theory/research related to teaching English language learners and the implications for effective language, literacy, and content-area assessment and instructional practices in Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) classrooms in middle/high schools. For students seeking licensure in the content areas at the 5-12 level. 4 cr.
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Inclusive Principles & Practices in World Language Education
SED WL 514
Online offering. Explores teaching for justice in world language education by developing intercultural citizenship and disrupting inequality. Policies of exclusion, barriers to access, and classroom practices are examined to support an inclusive classroom where all learners experience success. 4 cr.