Course Descriptions

CDA Courses

ECA 101
INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION:
PROFESSIONALISM, SAFETY, HEALTH,
AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT - CDA I (3 CREDITS)

In this course students learn about the developmental needs of children from birth to age five. Students learn to ensure the safety and health of children in early childhood programs, and to establish developmentally appropriate learning environments for young children. Students examine avenues of ongoing professional development for teachers and caregivers of young children. This course covers the CDA-Child Development Associate Functional Areas of Professionalism, Safety, Health, and Learning Environment.

ECA 112
INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION:
PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, COMMUNICATION, AND
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT - CDA II (3 credits)

In this course students learn about the developmental needs of children from birth to age five. Students learn to support children's physical development, encourage cognitive learning and the development of communication skills, and enhance creative expression. This course covers the Child Development Associate-CDA Functional Areas of Physical, Cognitive, Communication, and Creativity.

ECA 114
INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION:
FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES - CDA III (3 credits)

In this course students learn about the developmental needs of children from birth to age five. Students learn to support the social and emotional development of young children and to provide positive guidance. Students explore ways to work effectively with families, and develop program management skills related to observing children and delivering appropriate curriculum. This course covers the Child Development Associate-CDA Functional Areas of Self, Social, Guidance, Families, and Program Management.

ECA Courses

ECA 203
FOUNDATIONS OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the historical, philosophical and sociological foundations of programs for young children. Professional and ethical behavior in early childhood education will be discussed. Students will be engaged in the analysis of different program models and instructional strategies. Appropriate field experiences are integrated and required.

ECA 205
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (BIRTH THROUGH AGE 8) (3 credits)

This course will guide students in determining a child's developmental readiness, learning styles, and social-emotional needs. Students will learn ways of adapting the classroom to meet the needs of children who have special requirements. The history of exceptional education will be explored in conjunction with the educational and social issues relative to the field. Appropriate field experiences are integrated and required.

ECA 215
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (3 credits)

Students will explore creative activities in several curriculum areas and adapt plans to meet the needs of all children. The classroom environment will be discussed as a means of children's learning. Appropriate field experiences are integrated and required.

ECA 218
CHILD OBSERVATION, RECORD KEEPING, AND ASSESSMENT (3 credits)

In this course students will have the opportunity to observe children in structured and unstructured situations, record their observations, and use their records as a way of assessing strengths and needs of individual children. Guidelines will be provided for properly conducting observations, keeping records and using assessment data for curriculum planning. Appropriate field experiences are integrated and required.

ECA 227
DEVELOPMENTAL CURRICULUM: LANGUAGE, LITERACY, AND SOCIAL STUDIES
(3 credits)

This course will focus on the elements of developmentally appropriate curriculum for children. Students explore ways in which children, beginning in infancy, acquire language, develop the basis of literacy, and come to understand their social world. Students learn ways of creating integrated curriculum, organize the environment, and of providing children with developmentally appropriate activities that foster concept and increase and promote social and scientific awareness. Appropriate field experiences are integrated and required.

ECA 228
DEVELOPMENTAL CURRICULUM: MATH AND SCIENCE (3 credits)

This course focuses on the ways in which children construct knowledge through play and exploration. Students learn ways of helping children develop early math concepts, engage in scientific explorations, and engage in creative problem solving. Appropriate field experiences are integrated and required.

ECA 241
CHILD GUIDANCE (3 credits)

Students will develop appropriate ways to guide children's behavior through effective organization of the environment (emphasizing schedule, activities and materials) and guidance techniques that minimize conflict and encourage children to play and learn cooperatively. Appropriate field experiences are integrated and required.

ECA 242
FOUNDATIONS OF LITERACY DEVELOPMENT (3 credits)

This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the emergent literacy process during the early childhood years. Exploration of classroom teaching practices that encourage expressive and receptive language will engage students in a variety of field activities.

ECA 252
MANAGING LITERACY ENVIRONMENTS (3 credits)

In this course students will examine appropriate ways to create and organize the classroom for effective language and literacy development. Use of classroom centers, selection of materials, and resources for planning and teaching literacy experiences are discussed. Field experiences are integrated.

ECA 267
LITERACY DEVELOPMENT IN MULTILINGUAL COMMUNITIES (3 credits)

Through this course students will have opportunities to discuss how to support children's native languages as they transition into the acquisition of a second language. Students explore the role of culture, home and classroom contexts in the acquisition and development of language. Appropriate ESOL activities, resources, and teacher's role in literacy development are explored. Home, school and community connections to language development are discussed.

ECA 270
ADMINISTRATION OF CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS (3 credits)

In this course students develop skills required in the operation and management of an early care and education program. Students learn about organizational management, financial, legal and ethical issues, establishing operational systems, and programming for children and families.
This course meets the training requirements for the Florida Child Care and Education Program Director Credential.

ECA 279
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (3 credits)

Students examine key components of effective administration and management of early childhood programs. Professional conduct and ethical standards, budgeting practices, supervisory tasks, legal issues and resource development will be examined. Appropriate field experiences are integrated and required.

ECA 285
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR IN EARLY CHILDHOOD (3 credits)

This course examines competencies and demonstration of skills necessary for professional performance in early childhood education. Students examine standards for professional behavior and teaching of young children as defined by professional associations (National Association for the Education of Young Children, Division of Early Childhood Education, OMEP-World Early Childhood Organization). Students are engaged in self-reflection of individual skills and knowledge leading to the development of a professional portfolio.

General Education Courses

General education courses are offered at NSU's Farquhar Center for Undergraduate Studies.

Online general education courses are offered by the Office of Online Programs at NSU. 

ARTS 2300
ART IN SOCIETY (3 credits) 

This course examines the ways in which artists and the arts have influenced Western society from the Renaissance to the 20th century, focusing on painting, sculpture, architecture, music, dance, and film. Students will also visit local museums and attend musical and theatrical events as a means of gaining a greater under-standing of the arts within the local community. Prerequisite: WRIT 1000.

LITR 2010
BRITISH LITERATURE (3 credits)

A survey of major literary movements and writers, from the Beowulf poet to the present. The course examines themes common to different historical periods. Prerequisites: 
READ 1000 and WRIT 1500 with a C- or higher.

LITR 2020
AMERICAN LITERATURE (3 credits) 

A survey of American literature from the Puritans to the present, emphasizing major authors and identifying themes common to different historical periods. Prerequisites: READ 1000 and WRIT 1500 with a C- or higher.

LITR 2030
WORLD LITERATURE (3 credits) 

A survey of selected masterpieces by writers who have influenced the evolution of world culture, such as Homer, Dante, and Cervantes. Prerequisites: READ 1000 and WRIT 1500 with a C-or higher.

BIOL 1100
CONCEPTS AND CONNECTIONS IN BIOLOGY(3 credits) 

Focuses on the fundamental concepts in the life sciences and helps students make connections to the real world. This course is designed to emphasize the required biological concepts needed by middle-school teachers. Basic functions of life are compared and contrasted in organisms representing the five kingdoms. Connections are made between the various life forms and humans. Heredity will be studied with special attention given to the classic experiments important in the development of the field of genetics. Throughout this course, students will develop a portfolio of resources applicable for use in the middle-school classroom.

BIOL 1040
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (3 credits) 

Overview of environmental science that integrates social, economic, technical, and political issues. Problems of ecological disruptions, growth of human populations, land use, energy, water supplies, food supplies, pesticides, and pollution are covered. 

TECH 1110
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (3 credits) 

Basic technology skills for survival in the "information age" are covered. Students achieve fluency using the technology skills needed for academic course work, and they acquire the knowledge required for success in the "real world" of work, lifelong learning, and rapidly changing technology. Students demonstrate mastery researching online databases, navigating and publishing on the Web, and demonstrating proficiency in a software package that integrates word-processing, spreadsheet, chart, multimedia presentation, and database applications. Some material is included by direct request of professors in the majors and involves technology skills students are expected to know and use in their course work. Students customize projects to an area of their major or intended profession. Technology's impact and ever-increasing rate of change are covered throughout. Activities are hands-on, and class meets in the MicroLab.

PSYC 2370
CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (3 credits) 

Students in this course will critically examine theories and research concerning the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development of the typical and atypical child from birth to age eight. Emphasis will be placed on the ability to observe and describe child behavior and to understand the principles and processes that govern growth and development in the early childhood years. Implications of knowledge of child development for parental behavior, professional practices, and social policy will also be considered. Students may not receive credit for this course if they have taken PSYC 2380.

WRIT 1500
COLLEGE WRITING (3 credits) 

A writing workshop with instruction in the principles and skills of argumentation and critical reading. Students will receive instruction in basic methods of research and documentation of sources and in computer use. Prerequisites: placement examination or WRIT 1000 with a C- or higher.

WRIT 2000
ADVANCED COLLEGE WRITING (3 credits) 

A writing workshop with advanced instruction in argumentation as it applies in various professional settings. The course also includes additional instruction in critical reading, research, and writing. Prerequisites: READ 1000 and WRIT 1500 with a C- or higher.

MATH 1040
ALGEBRA FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS (3 credits) 

The second course in a two-course sequence designed to provide students with a full range of algebra skills. This course includes the prerequisite skills for calculus classes. Topics include rational expressions and functions, roots, quadratic functions, exponents and logarithms, and conic sections. Prerequisite: placement examine-nation or MATH 1030 with a grade of C- or higher.

MATH 1030
INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA (3 credits) 

The first course in a two-course sequence designed to provide students with a full range of algebra skills. This course is designed for students who have had some algebra. Topics covered include the real numbers, polynomials, linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables, functions, and systems of linear equations. A grade of C- or better is required to move on to subsequent courses. Prerequisite: placement examination or MATH 1000 with a grade of C- or higher.

COMM 2010
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS (3 credits) 

Training and practice in fundamentals of public speaking including methods of obtaining and organizing materials, oral presentation development and delivery, and audience analysis 

SOCL 2020
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (3 credits) 

The nature and needs of man and society, groups and institutions, social processes, and social change. Special emphasis will be placed on American culture and the impact of technology on modern man. 

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