EDUCATION 504 (1-3 Semester Hours)
SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Course Description:
This course will focus on country-specific culture, cross-cultural experiences
in education. The major emphasis of this course will be on the presentation of
educational practices unique to a particular country or region. The course is
intended for students returning from a semester study abroad program and
completing their concentration in International Education.
This course is a requirement for the Elementary Education International
Studies Concentration.
Texts:
Selected chapters from the following textbooks:
 McAllister, G., & Irving, J. (2000) Cross Cultural Competency and
Multicultural Teacher Education. Review of Educational Research,
70, (1) 3-24.

Alred, G., Byram, M., & Fleming M. (Eds.). (2002). Intercultural
experience and education. UK: Multilingual Matters.
Selected journal articles, laboratory guides, and curriculum/reference
materials on reserved in the Randall Library.
Purpose
A conceptual framework that:
 Addresses the current experiences of specific cultures,
 Identifies characteristics of exemplary programs, and
 Examines cross-cultural practices in education.
Course Objectives:
After completing this course, you should be able to:
1. Present a philosophy for educational practices in a specific
country or region. (North Carolina Professional Teaching
Standard V)
2. Apply your knowledge of instructional strategies to your
teaching in a classroom. (North Carolina Professional
Teaching Standard IV)
3. Compare strength and weaknesses of the educational system of
your assigned country with other countries presented in class.
The primary mission of the Donald R. Watson School of Education at
the University of North Carolina at Wilmington is to develop highly
competent professionals to serve in teaching and other educational
leadership roles in southeastern North Carolina, the state, and nation. The
Watson School is committed to achieving excellence in teacher and
administrator preparation in all of its programs.
Course Requirements and Activities:
Participants will meet for on-hour weekly discussion sessions or meet with
the instructor for individual project conferences. In addition to assigned readings,
each participant will present an overview of the educational system within the
country they have studied. Class discussions will focus on processes of
educational change and current trends in the country presented during the
seminar. Special attention will be paid to the issue of potential of educational
reform projects for meeting the diverse needs of students.
Course Projects:
1. Integrated Unit focusing on the country of your choice. (20% of grade)
2. Journal review of educational practices of a specific country. (20 % pf
grade)
3. Oral presentation (60% of grade)
4. Graduate students will be required to complete a 6 page research paper
on a discipline specific approach predominantly used in their assigned
country. Such as inquiry science or whole language approach to reading.
(Included in the 60% of grade for the oral report.)
Attendance:
Your promptness and active participation is expected at every class. Each
anticipated absence must be discussed with the instructor in advance.
Each unanticipated absence must be discussed with the instructor
immediately upon return to class. Since this is a seminar course,
audience interaction and participation is important. Therefore any
unexcused absence will result in a 10 point deduction in your total score
for the semester
Beginning with the fall 2005 semester, the Watson School of Education
requires that all education majors enrolled in methods courses maintain an
active account on TaskStream, a web-based curriculum builder and
portfolio toolset. You are asked to maintain that account for the duration
of your program with the Watson School of Education
(www.taskstream.com). Students in these courses will use TaskStream to
maintain a Professional Development Portfolio. This portfolio includes
evidence of your work to demonstrate progress toward meeting exit
requirements and professional standards.
Course Grading:
During this course, it will be possible to earn a total of 100 points. Your
final letter grade will be determined as follows:
A = 94 - 100% of total points possible
A- = 92 - 93
B+ = 89 - 91
B = 86 - 88
B- = 84 - 85
C+ = 82 - 83
C = 78 - 81
C- = 76 - 77
D+ = 74 - 75
D = 66 - 73
D- = 64 - 65
Instructor Availability:
Scheduled office hours (and exceptions to them) are posted on my office
door. I am also usually available to students whenever I am in the
building. If you come by and I am not in my office, please leave a
message. I will call you as soon as possible.
If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing
accommodations of any type in order to participate in this class, you must
notify Disability Services (Westside Hall, 962-7555), provide the necessary
documentation of the disability and arrange for the appropriate authorized
accommodations. Once these accommodations are approved, please
identify yourself to me in order that we can implement these
accommodations.