B.F.A. Art Education in Urban Schools (grades pre K-12) (31 credits)
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For more Information about the B.F.A contact the Art Department at (718) 488-1051.

Program of Study:

Course Description

Teaching and Learning 201 Teaching Imagine the Possibilities Offered every semester An introduction for the preprofessional student to the possibilities and processes of professional life in diverse inclusive urban schools through initial exploration of school contexts, learning processes, roles of teachers, and the self as a prospective teacher. Guided school visits, reflective writings, and seminal readings enable students to examine the field of education from historical, sociological and philosophical perspectives. Selected Teaching and Learning faculty discuss such current trends as multiculturalism and the inclusion of students with disabilities. For all students considering teaching as a career choice. Fifteen hours of fieldwork are required. Three credits.  back

Teaching and Learning 250 Development Psychology An introductory study of the physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and moral development of children, adolescents and adults from birth through the lifespan. The relationship between learning and development and the factors that may hinder or enhance these processes are explored. Throughout the course, attention is given to ways in which race, culture, ethnicity, language, class, gender, sexual orientation, and disability play a role in development and in the teaching and learning process. 3 credits. back

Teaching and Learning 301 Observing and Describing Children Prerequisite: Teaching and Learning 201 Offered every semester An introduction to a holistic method of observing and reflecting on children. Throughout the semester, students observe a child in home, school and community settings; this descriptive review process has as its philosophical foundation the premise that children construct knowledge and make meaning of their world. Students learn a descriptive vocabulary and the skills necessary to write a full and balanced portrayal of a learner that becomes fundamental to their teaching practice. Twenty-five hours of fieldwork are required. Three credits.  back

Teaching and Learning 350 The Developing Child Prerequisite: Teaching and Learning 301 or 302 Corequisites: Teaching and Learning 351, 359.1 for Childhood; Teaching and Learning 401 or 359.2 for Middle Childhood and Adolescence Offered every semester An introductory examination of the process of change from birth to preadolescence in children from diverse backgrounds with a range of abilities. Theories of development and learning and ways in which they inform child rearing and educational practices are studied. The relationship between learning and development and the factors that may hinder or enhance these processes are explored. Throughout the course, attention is given to ways in which race, culture, ethnicity, language, class, gender, sexual orientation, and disability play a role in development and in the teaching and learning process. Students have fieldwork experience with children in different settings. Four credits. back

Teaching and Learning 352 Sociology and Education Prerequisite: Teaching and Learning 301 or 302 Offered every semester A field-based course in which students use the results of sociological research to inform their observation and analysis of schools and society. Emphasis is placed on such variables as parental involvement and home environment, race/ ethnicity, and social class as well as school-related variables, including grouping and teaching practices, teacher attributes and expectations, class and school size, and curriculum. Students make an observational study in a classroom setting that addresses a problem of significance. Fifteen hours of structured fieldwork are required. Three credits.  back

Teaching and Learning 359.1 Integrated Field Experience I: Childhood Prerequisite: Teaching and Learning 301 or 302 Corequisites: Teaching and Learning 350, 351 Offered every semester An integrated field experience that focuses on the development of children and their language and literacy development. Thirty hours. Pass/Fail only. Non credit.  
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Teaching and Learning 399 Preparing for the NYSTCE Special Fee: $200.00 Prerequisites: Admission to the professional stage; Teaching and Learning 201, 301 or 302 Offered every semester A course that enhances studentsŐ ability to read critically and write serious essays, while deepening the liberal arts and sciences knowledge base required for the Liberal Arts Skills Test (LAST). Successful test-taking strategies. Required of all students who have not passed the LAST. Forty-five hours. Pass/Fail only. Non-credit.  back

Teaching and Learning 406 health Education for Teachers Corequisites: For Secondary Education majors, Teaching and Learning 460, 461, 411-416 Offered every Spring A study of critical issues in health for teachers, including methods and materials for teaching about substance abuse, nutrition, fitness, stress management and sex education. Emphasis is placed on the role of critical thinking in making personal choices about health issues. State-mandated training in child abuse identification and reporting, fire safety, and abduction prevention is also provided. One credit.  back

Teaching and Learning 465 Student Teaching in Art Education (Formerly Teaching and Learning 149.1) Prerequisites: Art 146, 147 Corequisite: Teaching and Learning 466 Offered every semester A student teaching semester that prepares reflective art teachers who work to create excellent classrooms and schools for all urban students. Students participate in every aspect of practice, including planning, implementation and assessment of curriculum and instruction. They immerse themselves in the life of a school, recording and thinking about the purposes, complexities and consequences of what they do as teachers in order to learn from their experiences. Students are supervised by a University faculty member and a cooperating teacher in the participating school. Schools and classrooms are chosen with special attention to art creativity and diversity. Student teaching is full time, five days a week for 15 weeks. Students have two placements: half of their time is spent in a pre-kindergarten through grade 6 setting, the other half in a grade 7 through 12 setting. Six credits. back

Teaching and Learning 466 Student Teaching Seminar in Art Education Corequisite: Teaching and Learning 465 Offered every semester A student teaching seminar that gives students an opportunity to look closely and critically at their work in classrooms. Through reflective conversations and reading and writing assignments about their teaching practice, they come to understand how to create meaningful relationships with children in the classroom community and to use the arts in education. Students explore the impact of diversity, including race, culture, ethnicity, language, class, gender, sexual orientation and disability within the school culture and the creation and meaning of art. Two credits. back

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