Curriculum & Teaching Program -
Course Descriptions

The following courses are included as part of the curriculum and teaching program. Check individual programs for specific course requirements.

CRI 700: Curriculum Design & Evaluation (3 units)

• This course is an introduction to a variety of curriculum design and evaluation models, with analysis of assumptions about teaching and learning inherent in specific curriculum practices and assessment procedures.

CRI 704: Conflict Management & Peacemaking in Schools (summer festival) (3 units)

• This course will familiarize students with the structure, dynamics, role and challenge of conflict in schools. Special emphasis will be given to developing strategies and structures to promote cooperative and constructive resolution of conflict.

CRI 707: Historical Foundations of Curriculum (3 units)

• The multicultural forces that influence curriculum and instruction are analyzed: philosophy, psychology, pedagogy/learning, sociology, knowledge, and evaluation. Major approaches to curriculum and instruction are compared/contrasted with analysis of assumptions about teaching and learning inherent in specific curriculum practices and assessment procedures.

CRI 708: Curriculum Design: Theory and Practice (3 units)

• This course focuses on the theory and practice of curriculum design and implementation, aligning with appropriate state-adopted content standards. It examines principles of human learning, identifies effective strategies for teaching to the diversity in the classroom (English learners, special populations), and incorporates strategic methods of differentiating for the success of all learners. It will review methods of assessment, analyzing how they inform the teaching/learning experience, and continually reflecting on each candidate's on-going practice.

CRI 709: Using Technology in Differentiating Curriculum (2 units)

• This course provides an advanced look at the theory, design and implementation of differentiated curriculum. Strategies and tools for responsive teaching are researched, used and reflected upon. Technology is used as a major vehicle to differentiate both content and process. Candidates will apply data driven decision making and plan remediation activities. They will design technology enhanced lessons for diverse students. They will create and design an interactive webquest. Projects are field-based, inquiry-oriented and require significant reflection on the effectiveness of both the process and product.

CRI 710: Successful Online Learning Orientation (1 unit)

• This course prepares potential or beginning online learners with the knowledge and tools to successfully navigate the virtual learning environment. This course will specifically orient FPU online students with the tools and resources needed for their online master's degree program. Participants will learn to access and interact with course materials through Moodle, the learning management system used by FPU, including LiveText, a web-based assessment tool. Principles of information literacy will be covered along with the use of relevant software applications.

CRI 715: Enhancing Differentiated Curriculum with Technology (2 units)

• This course provides an advanced look at the theory, design and implementation of differentiated curriculum. Strategies and tools for responsive teaching are researched, used and reflected upon. Technology is used as a major vehicle to differentiate both content and process. Candidates interact with district student information systems, and utilize graphic organizer software and presentation products. They will create and design an interactive webquest, enhancing a current unit of study. Projects are field-based, inquiry-oriented and require significant reflection on the effectiveness of both the process and product.

CRI 716: Advanced Studies in Teaching English Learners (3 units)

• This course focuses on enhancing the ability of the candidate to deliver a comprehensive program of specialized instruction for English learners. Candidates become acquainted with the local and school resources which are designed to meet the needs of English language learners and how to implement a program for English language development. The candidate will have the opportunity to use a variety of teaching strategies, instructional materials and assessments to maximize EL learners' academic success.

CRI 717: Advanced Studies in Teaching Special Populations (2 units)

• This course focuses on enhancing the candidates' ability to teach students with disabilities, students in the general education classroom who are at risk, and students who are gifted and talented. Candidates become acquainted with the statutory provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other relevant state and local legislation. They develop competence in the processes for identifying and referring students for special services, in participating in IEP meetings and in collaborating with other support personnel. They will also have the opportunity to use various instructional materials, teaching strategies and assistive technologies to support the success of the exceptional child.

CRI 718: Advanced Studies in Health Education (1 unit)

• In this advanced course, each candidate builds upon the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired during the professional teacher preparation program for the delivery of comprehensive support for student's physical, cognitive, emotional and social well being. Each student will understand and promote personal, classroom and school safety through appropriate prevention and intervention strategies. Each student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between student health and student learning, and will learn how to access local and community resources to support student health. Each student will demonstrate knowledge and implement appropriate elements of adopted health curriculum and instructional materials for the teaching assignment. Each student will become familiar with major state and federal laws related to student health and safety, including reporting requirements and parents' rights.

CRI 725: Essentials of Qualitative Assessment (2 units)

• This course is an introduction to theory and practice of qualitative assessment. It promotes an interactive look at classroom-based assessment tasks, ranging from short and specific to lengthy and substantive. It examines and incorporates examples of student projects as well as an array of effective assessment tools.

CRI 726: Curriculum Mapping (2 units)

• This course introduces the process for creating and working with curriculum maps, using them as an effective tool for improving teaching and learning. A central focus will be on "essential questions" and making the connections between content, standards and assessment measures that reflect the diversity of the classroom. Mapping strategies will be developed for the individual teacher or for the block/department setting.

CRI 727: Leadership: a Personal Perspective (2 units)

• This course provides individuals with tools to analyze and reflect on their personal and professional lives. Specific, values-oriented assessments are used to raise self-awareness, understand leadership styles and enhance professional development. Connections to how personal style informs abilities for leading organizational change are highlighted.

CRI 728A: Curricular Leadership (4 units)

• This course takes a look at the big picture of education and considers the role of each of the players involved. It examines the process of change and the elements needed for effective leadership. Current trends in curriculum development are identified and learning as inquiry is examined.

CRI 728B: Leadership Practicum (1 unit)

• This practicum is an application of the principles and concepts gleaned in Curricular Leadership.

CRI 798: Project/Thesis Proposal (1 unit)

• This course involves completion of a proposal for the project or thesis. Instruction is tutorial and reviews procedures along with development of a conceptual overview of the process of formulating and completing a thesis or project.

CRI 799: Project/Thesis (3 units)

• Supervised project or thesis in the field of curriculum and teaching. Instruction is tutorial and will result in a completed project or thesis.

ED 771: Methods in Educational Research Design (3 units)

• A study of the nature of systematic inquiry, a survey of methods employed in research and an explanation of evaluation methodology as well as the use of research and evaluation methods in actual school situations. Topics include identification of educational research problems, use of library resources, data gathering and processing, and evaluation of research articles.

ED 779: Values in School & Society (3 units)

• This course focuses on a cultural, historical, philosophical and/or social analysis of schools and schooling as a basis for developing an understanding of the educator's role as a change agent and as a basis for personal and professional decision making. The university's philosophy and values as expressed in the Fresno Pacific Idea and their implications for schools and society will provide one perspective for such analysis.

LLC 700: Reading Process & Practice (3 units)

• This course is designed to help elementary and secondary teachers better understand the reading process. Topics include contrasting models of reading acquisition of literacy, how to help struggling readers and current trends regarding reading in California.

LLC 708: Issues in Literacy: Multilingual Learners (3 units)

• This course considers factors such as culture and language acquisition that affect the literacy development of English language learners.

LLC 720: Assessment in Language & Literacy (3 units)

• This course is designed to help teachers develop skills in assessment of reading and make instructional decisions based on such assessment.

LLC 728: Practicum (2 units)

• Instruction of an individual or small group, either in the FPU reading/writing/language practicum or in an FPU supervising teacher's classroom.

LLC 742: Issues in Literacy: Working with Adolescents (2 units)

• This course explores teaching techniques that help older students become strategic readers and writers in content areas, including analysis of text structure.

LLC 750: Introduction to Linguistics (3 units)

• This course involves students in the study of grammatical competence in the areas of morphology, phonology and syntax. Students also apply knowledge of linguistics to teaching reading, spelling development, vocabulary and writing.

MCE 766: Developing Technology Rich Curriculum (3 units)

• Students will review current learning theories, instructional strategies and pertinent curriculum frameworks. Students will evaluate commercial software products that relate to their field of study. Students will then create instructional modules that merge a commercial product with a specific curriculum area.

Reading Certificate Exit Interview

• As a culmination of the coursework, candidates for the certificate have an exit interview with a panel and are asked to demonstrate their understanding of meeting students' needs by examining data of a troubled reader, assessing the data, and sharing their initial plan for working with the student.