Education Major
Education majors explore how to apply insights gained from cultural studies, psychology, and neuroscience to the field of education. We begin with an introduction to cultural intelligence and how to be empathetic and understanding when teaching individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds. Training is provided in the fundamentals of stage performance that helps us develop an appealing teaching persona and become effective presenters. We then explore the findings of neuroscience and educational psychology, what they tell us about the human brain, learning, and memory, and most importantly how these insights can be applied to teaching.
The complete major requirement—totaling 33 credits—is as follows. Click on the course titles for more information on credits, requirements and course contents.
English Language Studies
ENG 102: Introduction to English Grammar (3 credits)
This course explores the technical details of English grammar. The goal of the course is to help students increase their understanding of the English language and equip them to become more effective speakers and writers.
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Humanities
English Language
General Education: Humanities
General Education Learning Objectives: effective communication, key literacies, writing
ENG 214: English Language Studies (3 credits)
This course explores current English language usage questions and probes how the American Heritage Usage Panel makes judgements on such questions. Students are introduced to language databases where they can explore their own questions related to language and usage. The goal of the course is to help students make informed decisions about current usage questions, and thereby become more effective communicators. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Humanities
English Language
General Education: Humanities
General Education Learning Objectives: effective communication, key literacies, writing
Performing Arts
PAR 208: Stage Presence (3 credits)
This course trains students to become effective presenters. We consider practical measures that we can take to align our body and access the breath to unleash the potential of our voice. We explore vocal dynamics such as tone, pitch, and volume, and consider strategies that can be used to maintain an audience’s attention. We then prepare for various performance scenarios such as giving a speech and performing in a play. The goal of this course is to help students express their best self and become effective communicators. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Arts
Performing Arts
General Education: Arts
General Education Learning Objectives: effective communication
Educational Psychology
PSY 322: Psychology of Learning (3 credits)
This course surveys the study of learning—the acquisition of new knowledge or skills from experience. We investigate past and current learning perspectives, research methods, and how each has contributed to our understanding of human behavior and learning. We discover how learning depends on what we already know, and consider what newborns must know at birth in order to learn so quickly. We also examine how humans learn different skills such as a second language, story telling, navigation, and motor skills. Comparing the similarities and differences in how we learn these different skills can help us determine what is true for learning across different areas, and what is specific to different types of learning. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Education
PSY 337: Cognitive Psychology (3 credits)
This course explores cognition, and area of psychology that investigates the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. We examine some of the basic cognitive abilities involved in learning such as attention, creativity, imagery, memory, and reasoning, and consider the role of emotion, motivation, and goals. We also consider key questions such as, why do some individuals learn certain skills very quickly while others find it very difficult? Are learning styles real? Do we have multiple intelligences? What role does age play in learning? The goal of this course is to help students appreciate the amazing scope of what we learn in our lifetimes, and gain insights that they can apply to their own learning and to teaching others. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Education
PSY 315: The Science of Learning (3 credits)
This course examines the neural and psychological mechanisms involved in learning. We apply an integrative approach to the study of learning and memory that draws from multiple fields of study such as cognitive psychology, educational psychology, neuroscience, and social science. During the course, we explore the multiple learning mechanisms of the human brain and the specific neural circuits that they depend. We conduct a detailed analysis of explicit learning and pay particular attention to the role of the hippocampus. We also explore unconscious, implicit learning and discover how the mechanisms of classical and operant conditioning underlie our ability to learn associations. The purpose of this course is to help students understand how learning works, and to identify strategies that are scientifically proven to improve memory and learning that can help them become more effective learners and teachers. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Education
PSY 443: Cognitive Neuroscience (3 credits)
This course surveys the neural processes that support major components of cognition such as language, memory, motor control, and navigation. Students that take this course are introduced to basic neuroanatomy and functional imaging techniques such as fMRI. We explore how we learn to play sport, how we learn to play an instrument, and how children learn their native language. We also conduct a detailed analysis of working memory and the critical role it plays in all complex thought. Several case studies allow us to examine the neural causes for learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Throughout the course, students are introduced to the latest cutting-edge research in neuroscience that sheds light on the brain bases of cognition. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Credits: 3
Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Education
Research Project
EDU 431: Intelligence (4 credits)
An investigation of human intelligence. The principal aim of the course is to assist in training education majors by pursuing the study of one topic related to education in detail. The course begins by considering the challenges of defining and measuring intelligence for scientific study. We then consider the role of genes and environment, and explore research regarding the effects of early childhood experience on intelligence. Students are introduced to brain imaging studies that help us understand the neural basis of intelligence allow for an objective review of controversies about gender and race differences in mental abilities. Towards the end of the course, students explore the future of intelligence, probing such questions as, can intelligence be enhanced? Do we have a moral obligation to increase intelligence? This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Credits: 4
Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Education
Senior Thesis
Two semesters, 4 credits per semester
Research a subject of your choice related to education and write an essay to present your findings.