Community Learning Courses
Fall 2007 and Spring 2008
Bible and Religion
Missiology
An introduction to the issues of Christian mission overseas from an interdiscplinary perspective. It is concerned with the biblical basis, theology, history, context and forms of mission. The call to mission takes seriously the role of the church, mutuality in mission, need, opportunity and spiritual gifts. The course considers mission in the local context in collaboration with Virginia Mennonite Board of Mission.
CHST 331
New Testament Studies: Gospels
Through inductive study of the gospels and participation with a variety of activities at Our Community Place, including tutoring, a men's Bible study, the soup kitchen, the garden, Early Church service, etc., students will discuss linkages and intersections between Jesus' life and teachings and needs in our community.
BIST 222a
Biology
Life Science Practicum
BIOL 211, 212 Experiential community learning in areas related to future vocation is coordinated with classroom instruction. Typical experiences may involve hospital, biomedical organizations, clinics, rescue squads, health departments, environmental organizations or life science education. Multiple classroom sessions reflect on 20-30 hours of contact time in the practicum assignment.
Business and Economics
International Business
The purpose of this course was to explore the international environment of business, to examine the implications for specific functional areas of doing business, and to understand strategies for competing internationally. The course took a cultural approach; that is, it was grounded in the conviction that, in order to be effective, any attempt to do business internationally must be grounded in a thorough understanding of the culture of the host country since culture affects product design, marketing, production and personnel management. The course focused on global markets that are especially important at this point in time with particular emphasis on East Asia and the European Union.
BUAD 442
The component of Community Learning in this course involved the students in a community service organization that is actively working with Harrisonburg's ethnically diverse population in order to enhance their cross-cultural understanding. Academic credit was given for the learning that occurred in the community setting. Students were expected to engage in critical analysis of community issues and synthesize classroom-based knowledge and personal experience in a written report. The course required a minimum of 15 hours in the community.
Business and Economics Internships
Business and Economics Faculty
Chemistry
No CL designate courses currently offered.
Education
Exploring Teaching
ED 101, 102Sandy Brownscombe
This course is designed to give the student a means for assessing him/herself as a prospective teacher. The students engage in basic communication skills development, participate as a teacher assistant in several school settings, and encounter the demands and rewards of the teaching profession in a variety of ways.
Cathy Smeltzer Erb
Learning, Motivation and Assessment
Emphasis is placed on learning theories and principles, motivation development and assessment procedures. A framework for understanding the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of adolescents and subsequent implications for effective middle and secondary school instruction and evaluation is explored. Current theories and practices regarding assessment and accountability to various audiences are examined.
PFE ED 242b
Math in the Elementary School
This course introduces methods of teaching mathematics in grades K-6 with significant attention to planning, instruction and assessment activities which are responsive to the needs of diverse learners of students. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) provide the content framework. Participants in the course will be involved in exploration, development and practical applications of inquiry, discovery, directed teaching, use of manipulatives, and other activities designed to prepare them for teaching mathematics in elementary schools.
ED 312a
Science in the Elementary School
Active sciencing and teacher resourcefulness are emphasized in planning relevant, meaningful experiences for diverse learners. National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) standards and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) provide the content framework. Emphasis is given to the importance of preparing children’s learning environments so that science concepts can be taught through inquiry and active participation.
ED 312b
Social Studies in the Elementary School
Introduces methods of teaching social studies in the elementary school. National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) provide the content framework. Multicultural Education is stressed and students design a culturally responsive curriculum unit incorporating social studies facts, concepts and generalizations.
ED 312c
Literacy Block
An integrated block of courses designed for students who plan to teach in pre-kindergarten through grade six. The 7-hour block of courses explores the development of spoken and written language and traces the development of reading from birth through pre-adolescence. Understanding the social and cultural context for language learning both at home and at school and knowing the cognitive and psychological factors that exist at various stages of development form the basis for planning the curriculum at school.
ED 321
The practicum provides the students with opportunities to integrat and apply an integrated language arts perspective in a classroom setting. In addition, the student is engaged in assessing one child's literacy development and in planning and implementing an appropriate tutoring program and communicating with parents and caregivers.
Special Methods PFE
Focus on the application of specific curriculum and methods concepts relevant to the student’s certification area.
ED 361c
Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum
ED 391K Maynard
The precesses of reading and writing provide a framework for all instruction. The focus of this course examines literacy across the curriculum with emphasis on providing the classroom teacher with strategies to enhance literacy development. The course is designed to teach methods, techniques, and strategies to equip the classroom teacher to become a content area literacy provider.
One of the requirements of this course is participation in community learning activities (10 hours) that demonstrate the students' application of the knowledge gained during the class. Journal logs were collected that indicated the time spent in community learning, the application of the knowledge gained in the class and the reflection on what the student would continue to do to enhance the literacy and content area knowledge of the student(s). The EMU students could chose from a given list of area cooperating agencies or could offer his/her own placement suggestion.
Curriculum Block
Education Faculty
ED 312
The secondary and elementary physical education blocks are designed to combine actual in-school experience with curriculum theory, methods and student assessment.
History
No CL designate courses currently offered.
Justice, Peace and Conflict Studies
Developing and Sustaining the Peacebuilder
This experiential/reflective course focuses on the vocation of being a peacebuilder with time divided between a peace and justice community learning assignment and reflection upon that experience. In addition to community learning, the course includes exploration of opportunities for vocational involvement, the development of a professional portfolio with personal resumé and the exploration of disciplines for sustaining ourselves in the long term for peace and justice work. Students will participate in a field trip to the Greaterford Prison.
JPCS 311
Language and Literature
Conversation and Readings
This Spanish course is a study and a practice in speaking, writing, and reading Spanish along with a study of the Latin American and Spanish cultures.
SPAN 301a
The students have the chance to become involved in a project in the community to allow them to be immersed in Hispanic culture and to be able to practice their language skills.
Conversation and Readings (Health Care Focus)
This Spanish course is a study and a practice in speaking, writing, and reading Spanish along with a study of the Latin American and Spanish cultures with an emphasis on health care.
SPAN 301b
The students have the chance to become involved in a project in the community to allow them to be immersed in Hispanic culture and to be able to practice their language skills.
Community Learning in Hispanic Education
This course is designed to combine experiential community learning in the local "Latino" community with a reflection on larger historical and current immigration/migration issues and policies. Class discussions focused on readings, personal immigrant stories, students' community learning experiences, and visits to local, regional, and national agencies. Class reading and writing, presentations, lectures and discussions were conducted in a bilingual format varying from week to week.
SPAN 392
This Community Learning intensive course only met once a week in the classroom. In addition to the weekly class meetings, approx. 2-3 hours per week in a community learning setting/agency was required (30 hours in total). The agency was engaged with issues/work directly connected to local immigrants. The community-based component of this class was evaluated through consistent attendance, journal logs, reflections in class, and formal written responses.
Methods of Teaching ESL and FL
Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language and Foreign Languages emphasizes theory, practical methods and materials for teaching any second language. The course includes observation and participation in a local ESL classroom.
LANG 452
TESL Practicum
Supervised teaching in an ESL classroom or in one-to-one instruction of English to nonnative speakers of English. Lesson plans and reflections are prepared for each of 60 hours taught.
LANG 461, 462
Liberal Arts
Peer Tutoring Practicum
LARTS 131a, 242a
Mathematical Sciences
No CL designate courses currently offered.
Music
Secondary School Music
An exploration of the methods, materials, philosophy and objectives appropriate to the elementary school music program. Students participate in field experience as part of the course. Special emphasis is given to Orff and Kodaly approaches the needs of diverse populations and the use of technology in the music classroom.
MUED 351
Nursing
Nursing and Family in Community
Focuses on nursing with the family as a unit in the community system from conception to late adulthood. Clinical application occurs in home visits with families.
NSL 471, 472
Community Health
Focuses on community health nursing with clinical application to individuals, families and communities. Epidemiology, communicable diseases and health care systems are considered.
NSL 421, 422
Physical Education
Outdoor Education
The outdoor setting provides unique educational opportunities as the learner interacts with the natural environment. This course prepares prospective recreation leaders to design, implement and evaluate various outdoor curriculum models and teaching strategies.
PE 341
Adapted Physical Education
A combined study of academic course work and practicum experiences designed to educate the student to meet the physical, motor, personal-social and learning needs of exceptional individuals, particularly those individuals with disabilities whose needs cannot be met in a mainstreamed physical education setting.
PE 372
Psychology
Developmental Case Study
Designed to introduce the skills of behavioral observation based on developmental principles. A one-to-one experience with a young child using suggested activities.
PSYC 211, 212
Sociology/Social Work
Exploring Social Work
Exploring Social Work introduces the social work profession, including primary social work values, generalist social work practice, basic relationship and intervention skills and explores social work career opportunities. Students do agency visits and a 22-hour volunteer experience at a human service agency.
SOWK 121, 122
Theater
No CL designate courses currently offered.
Visual and Communication Arts
Video Camera and Non-linear Editing
DIGM 231This course is a practical hands-on introduction to the video camera and to non-linear editing of the material that comes from the video camera. It covers operation of the camera, basic lighting and sound, camera movement and support. Issues of composition, content, aesthetics, continuity and creativity will be explored with exercises, labs and real-life shooting. The non-linear video editing will cover both technical and philosophical issues of editing. Students will edit exercises and their own productions.
Documentary Production
Students will study how text, photographic images and video documentaries are constructed, and used to communicate. They will research, design and produce a documentary show with text, photographs and video on a selected subject. Students should bring experience in at least one of the fields of writing, photography or video production to this class.
DIGM 232
Washington Community Scholars Center
Experiencing Modern Art
HUM 385
Faith and Works in Urban Society
CHST 385
Urban Anthropology
SOC 385
Global Village Curriculum and Honors Program
First Year Seminar (FYS)
GVC 111
Nancy Heisey
This foundational course introduces first year students to the breadth of the liberal arts curriculum and to the skills needed for successful university work. Course themes focus on stories: scholarly, personal, faith and community. As an interdisciplinary course, this class invites exploration of class participants' background and experience, faith, and involvement with others, and develops a deeper understanding of their place in relationship to God, the academy, and the community, using the theme of Micah 6:8. Learning is facilitated in large and small group settings on the campus and within the local community. Assignments include written personal reflection, reading, book and article responses, selected campus activities, community learning, and a final research project.
Byron Peachey
Vernon Jantzi
Deanna Durham
Cities
GVC 211Christian Early
In this course students and faculty will examine the phenomena of cities and urbanization. An underlying theme will be to open ourselves to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God in the city. In this context we will ask the following questions: How/why have cities evolved? What does urban (vs. rural) living do to us and for us? What makes a city work well? Among other outcomes, students will recognize the potential for the city structure to act as an agent for social change, recognize the potential the city provides for demonstrating human creativity, and understand how to use and apply the scientific process to study an urban problem.
Mark Metzler Sawin
Honors Program
Ruling Ideas Seminar
This seminar, led by a teaching team of two honors faculty, is required of all entering honors students and meets during the fall semester of each year. In Ruling Ideas Seminar students investigate ideas which dominate the disciplines and constructions of higher education. Together students and faculty explore not only what ideas rule, but how they rule. The course features faculty members from different disciplines presenting ruling ideas from their discipline or ruling ideas about which they are passionate.
HONRS 111
