Syllabus

The mission of the Center for Excellence in Education at Northern Arizona University is to prepare education professionals to create the schools of tomorrow.

NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY

ESE 424 Foundations of Special Education

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides students with information about the definitions, characteristics, etiology, specific legal or ethical concerns, and educational provisions for students who have learning disabilities (LD), mental retardation (MR), and serious emotional disturbance (SED).

Major Elements of the Syllabus
• General Information
• Prerequisites
• Course Objectives
• Course Structure
• Textbook
• Evaluations Methods
• Topics, Readings, and Due Dates
• Course Policies

GENERAL INFORMATION

Instructor: Larry Gallagher, Ed.D. Associate Professor in Educational Specialties Course Credit: 3 hours Address: Northern Arizona University, Box 5774, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011 Office: (Bldg 27), CEE Room 206L, Phone: (520) 523-5083 (NAU) Net: ldg@jan.ucc.nau.edu Larry.Gallagher@nau.edu

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1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of differential child and adolescent development.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic educational principles and psychology of learning..
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current research findings.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the general characteristics of students with mild disabilities..
5. Demonstrate basic knowledge of special education law and major litigation.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical models for use with students with mild disabilities..
7. Demonstrate a commitment and a positive attitude toward teaching and learning.
8. Demonstrate the ability to make programming and management decisions for students with mild disabilities.
9. Demonstrate an awareness of cultural, linguistic, and gender differences as they relate to the diagnosis and treatment of children.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of the formulation and assessment of long- and short-term goals and objectives so as to meet individual needs.
11. Demonstrate the ability to improve professional skills through coutinuing education and involvement in special projects related to community activities.
12. Demonstrate an awareness of strategies and interventions pertinent to the social and academic needs of students with mild disabilities.
13. Demonstrate basic knowledge relative to the modification of instruction for students with mild disabilities.

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COURSE STRUCTURE:

This course will be taught using the web. Readings will be included from the required text. Students will choose to be a part of a group through the university conference center, or through a course discussion board. Students may work together to study and complete assignments. All tests, however, must be completed individually. Class tests and the unit assignments will be conducted on-line.

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REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS / READING MATERIALS:

Henley, M., Ramsey, R, & Algozzine, R (1999) Teaching Students with Mild Disabilities. ISBN number 0-205-2-066-3.

To order this book on the web, you can click amazon.com , Barnes and Noble or varsitybooks.com.

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TOPICS, READINGS, & DUE DATES:

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COURSE POLICIES

Course Requirements

1. Come prepared for each online session
2. Read assignments completely
3. Communicate effectively with team members and faculty.
4. Complete assignments as directed and the the dates assigned.

NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY

POLICY STATEMENTS

SAFE ENVIRONMENT POLICY

NAU's Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy seeks to prohibit discrimination and promote the safety of all individuals within the university. The goal of this policy is to prevent the occurrence of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status and to prevent sexual harassment, sexual assault, or retaliation by anyone at this university. 

You may obtain a copy of this policy from the college dean's office. If you have concerns about this policy, it is important that you contact the departmental chair, dean's office, the Office of Student Life (523-5181), the academic ombudsperson (523-9368), or NAU's Office of Affirmative Action (523-3312). 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you have a learning and/or physical disability, you are encouraged to make arrangements for class assignments/exams so your academic performance will not suffer because of the disability or handicap. If you have questions about special provisions for students with disabilities, contact the Counseling and Testing Center (523-2261). 

It is your responsibility to register with the Counseling and Testing Center. Application for services should be made at least eight weeks before the start of the semester. 

If the Counseling and Testing Center verifies your eligibility for special services, you should consult with your instructor during the first week in the semester so appropriate arrangements can be made. Concerns related to noncompliance with appropriate provisions should be directed to the Disability Support Services coordinator in the Counseling and Testing Center. 

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD

Any study involving observation of or interaction with human subjects that originates at NAU-including a course project, report, or research paper-must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects in research and research-related activities.

The IRB meets once each month. Proposals must be submitted for review at least fifteen working days before the monthly meeting. You should consult with your course instructor early in the course to ascertain if your project needs to be reviewed by the IRB and/or to secure information or appropriate forms and procedures for the IRB review. Your instructor and department chair or college dean must sign the application for approval by the IRB. The IRB categorizes projects into three levels depending on the nature of the project: exempt from further review, expedited review, or full board review. If the IRB certifies that a project is exempt from further review, you need not resubmit the project for continuing IRB review as long as there are no modifications in the exempted procedures.

A copy of the IRB Policy and Procedures Manual is available in each department's administrative office and each college dean's office. If you have questions, contact Carey Conover, Office of Grant and Contract Services, at 523-4889. 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The university takes an extremely serious view of violations of academic integrity. As members of the academic community, NAU's administration, faculty, staff, and students are dedicated to promoting an atmosphere of honesty and are committed to maintaining the academic integrity essential to the educational process. Inherent in this commitment is the belief that academic dishonesty in all forms violates the basic principles of integrity and impedes learning. Students are therefore responsible for conducting themselves in an academically honest manner. 

Individual students and faculty members are responsible for identifying instances of academic dishonesty. Faculty members then recommend penalties to the department chair or college dean in keeping with the severity of the violation. The complete policy on academic integrity is in Appendix F of NAU's Student Handbook. 

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E-mail Larry Gallagher at Larry Gallagher@nau.edu

Copyright 1998 Northern Arizona University
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED