Course Descriptions

RD 502 - Issues of Diversity in Literacy Classroom

(Credits: 3.00)

This is a reading and writing intensive course that engages class participants in reading, reflection, discussion, and written response to issues of diversity in the context of literacy. In this course, students read and examine narrative and expository literature to gain multiple perspectives on issues of diversity in language and literacy development. The purpose of the selected course readings is to generate a variety of ideas and questions. As students talk about ideas and issues or pose questions, it is ideas that are open to challenge-not individuals. It is essential that students feel comfortable enough to explore the multiple perspectives in themselves to examine the connectedness of literacy, language and identity.

RD 507 - Emergent Literacy

(Credits: 3.00)

This course introduces students to topics in fields related to the needs of beginning readers and writers. Students examine, discuss, and apply their knowledge of the following topics: language and literacy development, appropriate practices to meet the diverse language and literacy needs of young children, and assessment of language and literacy development.

RD 509 - Practicum: Assessment and Instruction of Literary Difficulties

(Credits: 3.00)

This course provides a field-based experience for students to apply tools and strategies to support literacy development that have been learned thus far in the program. Students work with struggling readers and writers, assessing their strengths, interests and needs, and then planning and implementing appropriate instruction to address the learners' specific challenges. Prerequisite: Enrollment is contingent upon successful completion (grade of C or better) of all courses and benchmarks listed on the program calendar that take place before the practicum..

RD 510 - Language, Cognition and Literacy

(Credits: 3.00)

This course includes examination, discussion, and application of linguistic and learning differences as applied to the relationship between language, cognition, and literacy.

RD 512 - Math Strategies and Modifications

(Credits: 2.00)

This course helps educators modify mathematics curriculum in response to the needs of students with identified learning disabilities. Educators administer, score, interpret, and evaluate a standardized math assessment to determine a student's level of math skill development; instruction is tailored to meet the student's needs. Current research on math disabilities is explored.

RD 515 - Coordination of PreK-8 Learning Disability Programs

(Credits: 2.00)

The content of this course includes the examination, discussion, and application of the following topics: collaboration; issues of mainstreaming and inclusion; determining school-wide needs through the change process; development and implementation of personal development plans for growth on a current topic in the field of learning disabilities; faculty in-service presentation; and current issues in the field of learning disabilities. Students begin to view themselves as leaders and future reading/learning disability professionals.

RD 518 - Special Education Law

(Credits: 1.00)

In this course students examine, discuss and apply knowledge of the following topics: historical perspective of the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act, 2004 (to include an exploration of Public Law 94-142; Individuals with Disabilities Act, 1990; Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments, 1997); the components of IDEA; the IEP process to include evaluation IEP development; placement, interviews with professional staff or parents to gain a deeper understanding of the IEP process; and a review of specific learning disability (SLD) criteria as implemented in the district of choice as a means to promote good decision making in the IEP process.

RD 519 - Word Recognition

(Credits: 2.00)

This course is designed to examine effective word identification, spelling, and writing instruction. Students will examine research and theory in this course, but it is closely tied to classroom instruction and to the content of the rest of the program. Discussions and work sessions focus on phonological awareness instruction and activities, phonics instruction, strategies for integrating word study with literature, and assessment. Spelling instruction is necessarily integrated.

RD 530 - Foundations of Literacy and Learning Disability

(Credits: 3.00)

This course is designed to examine the following: legal issues regarding the identification and instruction of learning disabled students; key definitional issues regarding the characteristics and prevalence rates of learning disability; historical foundations of the field of learning disability; neurological processes related to learning disability/dyslexia; an overview of effective research based interventions for the learning disabled; discipline, self-esteem, and social skills of the individuals with learning disabilities. We will examine history, research, and theory in this course, but it will be closely tied to classroom instruction, both elementary and secondary, and to the content of the rest of your program

CEDU 549 - Technology Based Research and Statistics

(Credits: 3.00)

This course helps educators to read, understand and evaluate research. They will acquire knowledge of basic research design and guidelines for judging research quality. The course provides an instruction to basic descriptive and inferential statistics. The emphasis is on the roles such procedures play in interpreting research. The computer will be used to develop understanding of these statistics.

RD 555 - Theories of Literacy Instruction

(Credits: 2.00)

This course examines theoretical models of literacy instruction. Course goals stress the interpretation of research and the formation of a personal philosophy regarding literacy instruction. The course introduces students to case study research in preparation for their final requirement in the program: the development, implementation and analysis of a case study.

RD 556 - Case Study Research

(Credits: 2.00)

This course is an opportunity to engage in one-on-one or small-group classroom research. Case study research is used to study a phenomenon systematically. In this case, the study focuses on a particular student. Case studies are often used when it is impossible to separate the variables from their context. The end product of a case study is a rich description of the case studied. The purpose of this course is to refine students' abilities to engage in the cycle of teaching involving assessment and instruction based on one student's needs. It is a requirement for the completion of the Master of Arts degree.

RD 558 - Reading and Writing with Children

(Credits: 3.00)

This course is designed to examine effective, diverse reading and writing instruction and assessment. Students examine research and theory in this course, as well as consider how to incorporate the reading of literature into instruction and assessment and how to design writing programs.

RD 559 - Comprehension

(Credits: 3.00)

This course is an in-depth study in the area of comprehension. Students read cognitive and sociocultural theories related to comprehension development as well as learn about diverse contexts for comprehension instruction. Students examine and reflect on their own comprehension instruction.