EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Course Title: ECE 693 SEMINAR: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 2 Semester hours         Graduate

Catalog Description: Systematic analysis of critical issues and research areas in early childhood education.Presentation of individual reports to seminar group for discussion.Serves as the capstone experience in the Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Students complete professional portfolio, which documents academic and professional achievements and outcomes.

Prerequisites: CURR 600, CURR 602, CURR 610, EDPS 641, EDPS 600, EDPS 677 OR 687, 1 Course in SOFD. and other courses in ECE and electives to total 24 credits.

Theme: Inquiry, advocacy & leadership in education for a diverse & democratic society.

Course Objectives:

1.Demonstrate knowledge of current issues and trends in Early Childhood Education through the pursuit of recent professional literature, including up-to ­date research.

2.   Participate in discussions and demonstrate knowledge of current issues related to the care and education of young children.

3.   Engage in in-depth research on one or more chosen topics related to the care and education of young children

4.   Document academic and professional growth including evidence of how they have chanced as a result of their graduate education at Eastern Michigan University.

Instructional Procedures: The course is primarily discussion based. Students and the instructor choose relevant research topics to investigate. Students are responsible for outside readings and then contribution to discussions based on the research read.

Student Evaluation Activities: see rubrics for details

1.   Active participation in seminar discussions: Students must come to class prepared and participate in the large and small group discussions

2.   Reading LowOutside readings for the class are to be documented by completing a professional reading log. Students demonstrate their ability to critically reflect on research. For each class session research based articles will be reviewed and submitted. 20%

3.   Research paper: a research based paper on one topic related to the care and education of young children is to be written. Students will present research topic to class. Students demonstrate their applied knowledge of the field of ECE. 40%

4.   Professional portfolio:completion of a professional portfolio documenting academic And professional growth. Students are to critically reflect on their graduate education at Eastern Michigan University.

Revised 3/5/02 KNIP