Education

Programs

Courses

EDUC 120: Foundations of Education

Credits 4
Students examine the present U.S. educational system and the nature of its social impact using the lenses of history, sociology and philosophy. Designed to provide the foundation for further study, this course is recommended for first-year students.

EDUC 210: Outdoor & Environmental Education

Credits 3

This course will explore the history and theory of outdoor and environmental education, giving students a sense of the philosophical roots and influences that define the various methodologies. In addition to engaging with contemporary debates and issues, this course provides a foundation for students interested in a variety of teaching approaches, including both formal and informal educational contexts such as summer camps, museum studies, adventure-based learning and sustainability education.

EDUC 221: Outdoor Trip Leadership

Credits 2
This is a 7-week course that includes a weeklong, student-led field trip over Spring Break. OTL is required for students wishing to pursue the Outdoor Education Applied Minor or lead outdoor education trips such as August Wilderness or AWPE courses. Topics covered include trip planning and preparation, risk management, lesson facilitation, and outdoor skill acquisition. Course fee: $150.

EDUC 248: Theory and Practice of Education

Credits 4
The course reflects upon the central premise that prospective teachers need both to do some teaching while they also read about teaching and its circumstances, thus integrating doing and learning. Students focus on the role of teaching and curriculum theory, while also offering experience with a teaching practicum unit in cooperation with a local school. Prerequisites: Earlham Seminar and one previous course in Education, or consent of the instructor.

EDUC 302: Disabilities Studies

Credits 3
This course explores the growing field of disabilities studies. Students will examine the idea of “normality” and consider how power is exercised over people with disabilities in U.S. cultures and in other cultures of the world. A variety of theoretical perspectives will be employed including feminist and critical disabilities studies.

EDUC 310: Experiential Education

Credits 3
This seminar course explores the theory and practice of experiential education through several key educational philosophies (Existentialism, Romanticism, Progressivism and Critical Theory). Students will examine how those theoretical stances inform educational practice in both formal and informal learning contexts (schools, museums, community centers, etc.) while developing a richer and more complex understanding of what some call “learning by doing.” The course will also explore specific methodologies common in the field such as project-based learning, community-based learning, and active learning.

EDUC 363: Children's Thinking

Credits 3

Focuses on how children's cognitive processes and mental representations change from infancy to adolescence. Theoretical claims, empirical findings and methodological issues are critically evaluated. Topics include children's visual and auditory perception, languages and literacy, learning and memory, mathematical and spatial thinking, logical and scientific reasoning, problem solving, theory of mind and social cognition.