EDS 3130 - Foundations of Educational Psychology and Philosophy

Credits: 4

Prerequisite(s): Satisfactory completion of General Studies requirements in Social and Behavioral Sciences I; at least sophomore status

Corequisite(s): EDS 3140

Description: Teacher candidates in this course will explore psychological and philosophical theories of education as they apply to secondary classrooms. Candidates will investigate four questions essential to future teachers: 1) Why do we have schooling? 2) How do people learn? 3) Who decides what and how students are taught? and 4) What do teachers do? Candidates address these questions by making connections between the fields of developmental psychology, educational philosophy, social policy, and school governance. Teacher candidates will demonstrate their understanding of these essential questions by articulating their educational philosophy and creating learning designs grounded in theory and best practices. This course -informed by current research on cognition, motivation, and culture -is designed to promote a deeper understanding of the rewards and challenges associated with becoming an effective teacher. Finally, this course requires concurrent enrollment in EDS 3140, a 60-hour field experience in a diverse middle or high school where candidates are prompted to apply these theories within classroom settings.

General Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences