EDUCATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ED 610 Curriculum Theory (3)
Emphasizing the curriculum principles, the philosophical, historical, and social trend of curriculum, the determinants of curriculum, and the development of the rationale for the implementation of a school-based action project. This course is taken during the first year, fall trimester
ED 615 A& B Practicum in Human Development (1.5 each)
Emphasizing practical implementation of theory and design in the classroom, this experience is taken over the entire academic year of the program. Also emphasized is application of the latest theories in the development and learning of children. The classroom for these experiences is the classroom of the graduate student. These experiences are accompanied by attendance at a series of Saturday or evening workshops and seminars. This practicum is required for all graduate students during their first year.
ED 620 Curriculum Design (3)
Emphasizing the overall components of curriculum development, design, implementation, and evaluation and continuing assistance to the individual with his/her school-based action project with particular attention to reporting results. This course is taken in the spring trimester
ED 625 A & B Practicum in Instruction (1.5 each)
Emphasizing practical implementation of curricular design and instruction theory in the classroom setting. Attendance at selected Saturday or evening workshops on topics relevant to instruction is required. This course is taken during the second academic year of the program by those holding middle school and/or secondary certification.
ED 630 Research Methods (3)
Emphasizing both qualitative and quantitative methodology, reflective practice, competency development, formative and summative assessment with special attention to the rationale and methodology action research project. This course is taken in the winter trimester.
ED 635 A & B Practicum in the Teaching of Reading (1.5 each)
Emphasizing the practices and trend in the teaching of reading. This seminar is taken during the second academic year of the student’s program, by those holding standard certification at the P-5 level. Seminars meet on selected Saturdays or evenings during the academic year.
ED 640 Supervision of Instruction (3)
Emphasizing the development of knowledge skills in supervision student teachers, intern and other teachers, and understanding the importance of leadership therein. Special emphasis is given to assist student teachers and first year interns toward success. Emphasis is placed on Chapter 5 of the Master’s Action Research project. This course is taken during the second year, spring trimester.
COGNATE AREA COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Language Arts, P-5
ED 600 Trends and Issues in Reading/Language Arts (3)
This course focuses on theories, research, and methodology associated with reading and language arts from primary through the fifth grade, with attention to the concepts of whole language, phonemic, awareness, and emergent literacy.
ED 601 Relationships Between Writing and Reading (3)
This course emphasizes current thought and research in the fields of reading and writing that mutually support the nature of the interrelationships between the two processes. Special attention is given to emergent literacy.
ED 602 Diagnosis of Reading Problems (3)
This course examines the use and critique of theories of the reading process and diagnostic approaches for assisting in the improvement of reading proficiency. Emphasis is placed on the use of holistic assessment technologies and their relationships to theories of reading processes.
ED 603 Directed Study in Language Arts (3)
This course requires the graduate student to select a topic in language arts, study the research and literature related to the topic, consider the implications of findings for instruction in the classroom, and present a paper to a panel of peers for critique.
Biology, 8-12
BIO 501 Topics in Freshwater Biology: Limnology (3)
BIO 502 Natural History of Vertebrates (3)
BIO 503 Topic in Human Ecology (3)
The course will cover aspects of human ecology such a population dynamics, environmental problems of pollution and resource depletion, energy sources and policy, endangered species, habitat destruction, and urban growth.
BIO 504 Plant Taxonomy and Local Flora (3)
The course will cover various aspects of plant taxonomy and the local flora of central Kentucky.
BIO 590 Research (1- 6)
This course emphasizes student-conducted research with the guidance of a faculty sponsor. The topic of research and the research methods are determined in consultation with the sponsoring faculty member. Results are presented orally in a public seminar and in a comprehensive written report. Offer on demand.
Chemistry, 8-12
CHE 500 Topics in Modern Chemistry (3)
This course is a review and extension of the principles and topics studied in introductory chemistry. The course will cover topics such as the mathematics of chemistry, molecular dimensions, the structure of atoms and molecules, equations and the gas laws. Prerequisite: two years of undergraduate chemistry.
CHE 501 Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (3)
This course treats the basic concepts of inorganic chemistry and how these concepts are used to understand and predict the chemical and physical properties of compounds other than carbon. Special emphasis is placed on the chemical and physical properties of compounds of the transition elements.
CHE 502 Topics in Organic Chemistry (3)
This course treats both the classical and instrumental methods used in the study of organic compounds. Emphasis will be placed on the reactions of the main functional groups of organic molecules, stereochemistry, and on the interpretation of mass, infrared, ultraviolet, and nuclear magnet resonance spectra.
CHE 503 Topics in Analytical Chemistry (3)
This course is a study of classical and modern instrumental analytical techniques. Topics studied will include both volumetric and gravimetrical analysis and the theories associated with these techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on modern instrumental techniques including gas chromatopgraphy, ultraviolet, and visible techniques.
English, 8-12
ENG 501 Literary Criticism (3)
This course examines recent and current criticism to discover its basic assumptions and implications, beginning with formalism and structuralism.
ENG 502 Casebook Studies of Selected Classics (3)
This course integrates literature and literary criticism into a casebook approach. The study of specific works and contemporary criticism and the peer writing of a casebook for a specific literary work will demonstrate the process of reading, critical analysis and interpretation, writing, and understanding.
ENG 503 The Romantic Period (3)
This course is a study of Romantic Literature beginning in 1798 and continuing through 1832. The course will stress a thorough examination of major writers of poetry, the prose essay, literary critical essay, and the novel of the period.
ENG 504 Victorian Literature (3)
This course is a study of Victorian Literature beginning in 1832 and continuing to 1900. The course will be a careful examination of major writers of poetry, the prose essay, literary essay, and the novel of the period.
ENG 505 Rhetorical Traditions and Composition (3)
This course examines the Rhetorical Theories and traditions that underlie the teaching of composition. It will focus particularly on American rhetorical heritage and its influence on the way rhetorical theory shapes curriculum, textbooks, and teaching theory practice.
ENG 506 Recent Trends in Composition Studies (3)
This course examines recent developments in discourse theory, cognitive studies, collaborative learning, assessment, and artificial intelligence research that are changing the way composition is taught. Intended as an introduction to these fields, the course will introduce students to the leading theorists in these fields through their writings in texts and journals.
ENG 507 Modernism in American Literature and Criticism (3)
An investigation of American modernism as represented by selected works of American criticism, fiction, poetry, and drama, with emphasis on three questions: What is modernism? What are its origins? What are its manifestations in literature and life?
ENG 508 Postmodernism in American Literature and Criticism (3)
An investigation of American postmodernism and its various manifestations in selected works of American literature and criticism.
ENG 511 Classical Rhetoric for Contemporary Composition (3)
This course consists of a brief historical survey of ancient rhetoric, intensive study of the rhetorical theories of Aristotle and Cicero, and practice in writing an analysis involving applications of classical theory with special attention to proofs, structures and style.
ENG 512 Contemporary Theories of Writing (3)
This course consists of the study and practical application of recently advanced theories affecting academic and professional writing and the teaching of writing in America. The scope of study includes, but is not limited to, theories advocated by current traditionalists, expressivists, cognitivists, social constructivists, and neo-Marxists; it also includes eclectism and classical rhetoric in contemporary theory. The focus of study foregrounds the basic assumptions, major tenets, logical implications, and probably practical results of each theoretical perspective.
ENG 591 Shakespeare in Performance and Interpretation (3)
A study of selected Shakespearian plays in light of performance, focusing on interpretation, staging, and problems/options.
Mathematics, 8-12
MTH 500 Microcomputer Applications for Mathematics (3)
The microcomputer will be used for an in-depth study of the solutions to various mathematical problems. A number of areas in calculus, statistics, simulation, linear programming, and linear algebra will be investigated from the applied aspect.
MTH 501 Topics in Number Theory (3)
Topics in this course include congruencies, conditional congruencies, finite and infinite simple continued fractions. Algebraic and transcendental numbers, sum of squares, recurring sequences, and cryptography. Prerequisite: MTH 305 or consent of instructor.
MTH 502 Topics from Geometry (3)
Topics include constructions and study of polygons, polyhedra and polytopes and their symmetric groups, transformations, convexity, duality, regular and semi-regular tiltings of the plane, and geometry in architecture, art, biology, chemistry, and crystallography. Prerequisite: MTH 402 or consent of the instructor.
MTH 505 Mathematical Modeling and Applications (3)
Mathematical concepts and techniques from earlier courses are used in modeling real-life problems to bring new vividness and interest to ideas. Numerous problems are confronted from the physical, biological, social, and behavioral sciences. The use of computer is encouraged. Prerequisite: calculus and some computer science.
Physical Education and Health, P-12
HPE 550 Current Trends and Practices in Physical Education (3)
Course emphasizes current trends and practices in physical education. The course will review KERA as it relates to the implementation of Practical Living Core Concepts in Kentucky. Recently adopted NASPE benchmarks will also be stressed.
HPE 560 Current Trends and Practices in Health Education (3)
This course will identify illness and disease in school-age children and adolescents and stress the prevention or reduction of disease through avoidance of risk factors and modification of lifestyle. Implications for school programs will be addressed.
HPE 570 The Physiological Basis of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics (3)
This course will challenge students to learn the scientific and physiological reasons for training and conditioning. Students will be able to explore current concepts and practices in their environment and improve the effectiveness of safety of school-based health, physical education and athletic programs.
HPE 575 Conditioning and Rehabilitation for Games, Sports and Physical Activity (3)
This course will present an overview of techniques for conditioning and rehabilitation of participants in sport and physical activity. Topics include the components of physical fitness, conditioning methods, sport specific conditioning, nutrition, prehabilitation, rehabilitation guidelines, and rehabilitation of specific injuries.
HPE 580 The Psycho/Social Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity (3)
Tis course will provide student with a comprehensive and insightful analysis of contemporary issues in sport and physical activity. Psycho/social issues in sport and physical activity will be examined from historical, cross-cultural, and psychological perspectives.
Social Studies, 8-12
HST 502 Colonial America (3)
This course will examine American development from the Age of Discovery to the Early National Period. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the basic factors in the economic, social, and political development of the colonies.
HST 575 Civil War and Reconstruction (3)
This course examines the development of sectionalism in the antebellum period, the secession crisis, and mobilization for war, its strategy and tactics. The course examines the military, political, and diplomatic courses of the war. The reconstruction period and its impact are also discussed.
POL 501 Political Theory (3)
This course focuses on the major theoretical approach in analyzing democratic theory, including procedural and substantive views, as well as majoritarian and pluralistic theory. Different views on democratic government will be examined, and emphasis will be placed on how decision-making takes place.
POL 555 Political Geography of Environment & Resources (3)
This course examines the relationship that exists between the process of political decision making by national governments and the world environment. The interactions between resource management and international decision making will be studied so as to help students to understand the current issues and crises in the global arena that are likely to have the greatest impact on the future.
PSY 512 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Contemporary approaches to cognitive psychology. A broad survey, with in-depth looks at selected topics including attention and memory.
PSY 601 Advanced General Psychology I (3)
An examination of the basic concepts, theories, research methods, and findings of specialty areas in experimental psychology. Topics will include biological bases of behavior, the nervous system, sensory processes, perception, learning, and cognition. Required for emphasis in psychology.