SUNY ORANGE Education Department COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE #: EDU 207 KN NAME: Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education INSTRUCTOR: Elizabeth Tarvin SEMESTER: Fall 2008 PHONE: 341-4482 OFFICE: Sarah Wells Room 101 EMAIL: elizabeth.tarvin@sunyorange.edu HOURS: As posted, or by appointment COURSE DESCRIPTION This course examines the social, cultural, philosophical, historical, ethical and practical aspects of education in the United States. Current issues, such as economics and school equity, areas of bias, school achievement, policies, practices and reform initiatives will be addressed. Ten hours of field observation beyond the college classroom is required. Two meetings of field experience reflection groups will be scheduled in addition to college classroom hours. Location and time of these meetings will be student-scheduled to accommodate the groups� needs. Prerequisites: ENG 101 3 Lecture Hours 3 Credits RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAMS This course is intended specifically for Jointly Registered Teacher Education Program (JRTEP) students. However, this course may also pertain to students in Liberal Arts AA/AS programs with a Foundations of Education area of interest, as it is required for the New York State Teaching Certificate. This class is also a Liberal Arts Elective. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Identify major historical, psychological, philosophical, political, social, and cultural foundations in American education, and the changing attitudes and educational processes and policies toward children in the U.S. 2. Define teaching, learning, education, schooling, and equity and their meanings related to the teaching role and responsibilities. 3. Demonstrate skills of objective observation in field sites, and use reflective and analytical thinking skills while recording observations in weekly journals. 4. Describe current challenges in American schools, and evaluate efforts and impacts of proposed educational reform. 5. Develop a foundational sense of classroom management and behavioral strategies with the goal of creating a positive classroom community. 6. Work on planning, presenting, and evaluating developmentally appropriate and inclusive lessons and practices. 7. Create an appropriate personal philosophy of teaching and learning. 8. Use exemplary oral and written communication skills with evidence of higher level, critical thinking. 9. Demonstrate aptitude in technological delivery/communication methods. REQUIRED TEXT Education: The Practice and Profession of Teaching, McNergney and McNergney (Allyn & Bacon, 5th ed.), 2007. COURSE CONTENT 1. A Teacher�s Role 2. Challenges Teachers and Schools Face 3. The Richness of Classroom Cultures 4. Education in America: The Early Years 5. Education in America: Then and Now 6. Why Teachers Behave As They Do 7. Leading, Governing, and Funding Schools 8. The Influence of the Law 9. Curriculum and Instruction 10. Recognizing Educational Success: Standards and Assessments 11. A Global Education Context 12. What Lies Ahead MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS/ACTIVITIES 1. Class Attendance with active, informed, positive participation. 2. Timely reading/viewing of required text, handouts, videos, other materials. 3. Participation in Reflection Group meetings with Blackboard postings and online responses. 4. Completion of 10 hours Field Experience observations through Reflective Journals and Attendance Record. 5. Completion of Lesson Plan with Class Presentation. 6. Completion of Hot Topic Paper and Class Presentation. 7. Completion of Multi-cultural Study Paper. 8. Presentation of Personal Education Philosophy of Teaching and Learning. 9. Completion of Diversity Awareness Exercise/Survey. GRADING SYSTEM 14% Reflective Journal 14% Lesson Plan with Class Presentation 14% Hot Topic Paper and Class Presentation 14% Multi-cultural Study Paper 14% Personal Philosophy of Teaching and Learning and Teacher�s Rules and Responsibilities 30% Weekly Quizzes * Failure to complete 10 hours of Field Work Observation will result in a failing grade for the class. GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION 1. All work must be typed or computer text, preferred use of Times New Roman, Font Size 12 or 14, unless otherwise specified. 2. Proper grammar and correct spelling are mandatory for each written assignment. Please do not rely solely on your spell/grammar check. Points will be deducted if work is not at �college level.� 3. Due dates are serious. Grade point reductions will be given for late work according to specific course/assignment guidelines. 4. Attendance is critical. Each unexcused absence beyond ONE will reduce your final average by six (6) points per week. 5. You must be present for the entire class to be counted as attending that day. If absence is unavoidable, you MUST contact me prior to class. This is CRUCIAL. Unusual circumstances MUST be communicated to me. 6. Make-up work, notes, and exams are YOUR responsibility to obtain/schedule. 7. Make-up assessments will be given only for excused absences and must be scheduled and administered as close to the original date as possible. 8. Students may withdraw themselves and receive a �W� during the first 10 weeks of the semester. During weeks 11 through 13 they may only withdraw and receive a �W� with the permission of the instructor. All others receive a final mark which may be A, B, C, D, or F. 9. Please remember to keep a copy of ALL of your assignments for your own personal files. 10. Changes in topics, due dates, assignments or presentations may occur due to unforeseen circumstances with or without prior notice. � SUPPORT SERVICES SUNY Orange is committed to assisting students to achieve their best. Resources for you include: Tutorial Center, Writing Lab, Math Lab, Student Success Center, Advising and Counseling, Library and Career Services. Computers and printers are available for your use in the Library, Shepard Student Center and Bio Tech Building. ADA DOCUMENTED DISABILITY If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with me soon. Please request that the Advocate for Services to Students with Disabilities send a letter verifying your disability. To receive help, contact 341-4000. CELL PHONE POLICY The active use of any device classified as a �telecommunications device�, including but not limited to pagers, cellular phones, PDAs and messaging devices, is prohibited in classrooms, as well as in other areas where a classroom atmosphere is assumed (e.g. libraries, labs, theaters, administrative offices) except by special permission of the instructor. Passive use, including silent and vibrate mode, may be used, provided it does not compromise the educational process or promote an unethical situation. Instructors reserve the right to regulate the monitoring of such devices as necessary. PLAGIARISM Any student or organization found to have committed or attempted to commit any of the following acts of misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article IV. Acts of dishonesty, including, but not limited to: a. Cheating, including cybercheating b. Fabrication c. Facilitating academic dishonesty d. Plagiarism, including internet plagiarism e. Forgery f. Bribery g. Multiple submission (submitting the same assignment to more than one instructor without the permission of the instructors). Please refer to the College Academic Policy for other means of resolution for academic dishonesty issues. WEATHER EMERGENCIES/CANCELLATIONS In the event that this class is cancelled, there will be a makeup class scheduled ONLY for evening classes, NOT day classes. Check the college website or local radio station for closings. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RESOURCES The Education Department provides numerous resources for its students: * Education Curriculum Resource Area�Located on the second floor of the library, this area houses books and periodicals for use by students. * Education Department Hallway�The hallway in the Sarah Wells Building contains Education Department faculty and staff offices as well as Bulletin Boards with course listings, job postings, event times and dates, club meeting times and contact information. * Education Resource Room�Located in Sarah Wells Workroom, this area holds consumables for student use, as well as a TV/VCR and video tapes, CD-ROMs and DVDs, laminating machine, and binding machine (some restrictions on usage amounts may apply). Please call or email Education Department administrative assistant at 341-4054 or dianne.gersbeck@sunyorange.edu to check available times for ERR access. * Education Department Website�Log on to www.sunyorange.edu/education for the most current information. DATES TO REMEMBER 9/1 Labor Day�No Classes 9/30 Rosh Hashanah�Classes in Session* 10/9 Yom Kippur�Classes in Session* 10/13 Columbus Day�No Classes 10/14 No Tuesday Classes�Hold Monday 10/8 Classes 10/17 Mid-Term Grades Distributed to Students Online 11/3 Last Day for Students to Withdraw from Classes with Grade of �W� 11/21 Last Day for Instructor Withdrawals for Fall 2008 11/26 Thanksgiving Recess Begins�No Classes 12/1 Classes Resume 12/5 Deadline to Apply for December Graduation 12/16 Grades Distributed to Students Online 12/15 Winter Recess Begins *See college policy regarding religious observance. **Changes in topics, due dates, assignments or presentations may occur due to unforeseen circumstances with or without prior notice.** CHRONOLOGY OF STUDY EDU 207 KN Fall 2008 Class Date Topic Assignments Due 8/26 Introduction/Course Overview Chapter 1 A Teacher�s Role 9/2 Field Observation Experience Chapter 2 Challenges Teachers and Schools Face 9/9 Diversity Awareness Exercise Chapter 3 The Richness of Classroom Cultures Diversity Reflection Worksheet Due 9/16 Chapter 4 Education in America: The Early Years 9/23 Chapter 5 Education in America: Then and Now Journal #1 9/30 Multi-cultural Papers and Presentations Due Cultural Paper Due 10/7 Chapter 6 Why Teachers Behave as They Do Chapter 7 Where Teachers Work Journal #2 10/14 Monday Classes Held 10/21 Hot Topic Papers and Presentations Due Chapter 8 Leading Governing and Funding Schools Hot Topic Papers and Presentations 10/28 Chapter 9 The Influence of the Law Journal #3 11/4 Chapter 10 Lesson Planning Philosophy Statement Due 11/11 Chapter 10 continued Journal #4 11/18 Lesson Plan Presentations and Peer Critique Chapter 11 Recognizing Educational Success Lesson Plan Due 11/25 NO CLASS � THANKSGIVING BREAK 12/2 Chapter 12 A Global Educational Context/ Guest Speaker Journal #5 (HOURS SHEET DUE) Finals Week Chapter 13 What Lies Ahead Discussion Group Meetings Due (Summary due or 5 comments on Discussion Board)