Pittsburg State University
College of Education
Department of Special Services and Educational Leadership
Summer 2008
Note: This syllabus
represents a tentative
plan. Therefore, the
instructor may make
changes during the
semester if circumstances
warrant alterations.
Course:
Instructor:
E-Mail:
Office Hours:
Home Phone:
Class Sessions:
SSLS 834 Curriculum Development
July 7 – August 1 (3 hours credit)
Dr. Brenda Roberts
broberts@pittstate.edu
M-TH 9:00-11:00 a.m. (on-line)
By appointment
(417) 781-2350
Mediated Course, ANGEL Internet
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
In SSLS 834 Curriculum Development students examine the fundamental
concepts underlying the school curriculum and their application to planning
and development; social responsibility of the school; pupil needs and
purposes; criteria for the selection of the curriculum content; appraisal of new
trends and policies designed to improve the effectiveness of the school.
COURSE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To demonstrate an understanding of different curriculum theories.
To demonstrate an understanding of various curriculum approaches.
To summarize major research related to curriculum.
To identify sources of the curriculum.
To identify the components of effective teaching/learning situations.
To analyze innovations on the basis of curriculum theory.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
Required text:
McNeil, J.D. (2003). Curriculum: The teacher’s initiative. 3rd edition. Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey: Merrill-Prentice Hall. [ISBN 1-13-093804-1]
Additionally, students will read short articles from related professional journals and
utilize online resources via the World Wide Web.
Other resources you will need:
As this is a mediated course, ANGEL Internet will be utilized to facilitate your online learning
experiences. You will need access to a computer with the following capabilities:
 Internet connection
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Internet browser
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
Adobe Acrobat Reader
You also need an active email address that you can check daily and that can handle uploading
files and downloading files.
You will also need a PSU ID number so that you can access the ANGEL site for this course.
When you first enrolled at PSU, the University assigned this number to you.
Finally, you will need a GUS PIN (Personal Identification Number) so that you can find out
your final grade in this course as well as enroll for future classes.
Off campus library access to the PSU Axe Library databases is now available. You will need
your PSU ID# and a Gus PIN. You may want to bookmark the Axe Library home page.
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Teaching strategies will include class discussion, short writing projects, peer review, literature
and publications review, team projects, written projects, and power point presentations.
This class will use ANGEL as the tool to facilitate the class sessions. You are already entered
into the following site:
08SU-SSLS-834-98 Curriculum Development
Please check that you can access this ANGEL site. You can access ANGEL by going to the PSU
home page and clicking the ANGEL Login. First time login instructions can be found on the
ANGEL home page. If you have difficulties gaining access, please contact Dr. Roberts
immediately.
Going Digital!!
This is a paperless class; therefore, all your work will be submitted digitally. As you do your
written assignments, please use the following procedure:
1. Use Microsoft WORD as your word processor.
2. Include the following heading on each page of your assignment documents:
Name
Email address
Date submitted
Assignment title
3. When you name your file, please use the following format that puts your last name first:
LASTNAME Shortassignmenttitle.doc
Example: ROBERTS ArticleSummary.doc
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You must always include the file extension .doc so that my machine will recognize your
file as a WORD document and I can open it. This is particularly important as we cross
platforms (from Mac to Windows).
4. Assignments will be submitted through ANGEL or by email. Additional procedural
information will be provided with the first assignment.
Sometimes work gets lost in cyberspace. For this reason, ALWAYS keep a digital copy
(and a backup) of all your work.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Due to the online format for this class, plan to check your email and the course ANGEL site on a
daily basis (M-F). The individual assignments and group activities constitute an important part of
the course and will have a designated due date. However, if circumstances dictate that you must
miss checking in for a few days, please inform your instructor beforehand and other students that
you may be working directly with.
EVALUATION OF STUDENT LEARNING
It is anticipated that all students will satisfactorily complete the following
responsibilities/assignments as identified for this course. Students will be assessed in relation to
course objectives through multiple indicators.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Satisfactory completion of Profile activity.
Satisfactory completion of beginning-of-semester Philosophy Statement #1.
Satisfactory completion of chapter assignments.
Satisfactory completion of end-of-semester Philosophy Statement #2.
Satisfactory participation/completion of group curriculum development project.
RESPECT FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE ACADEMIC PROCESS
In both Professional Behavior and Social and Emotional Well-being for Faculty & Students
The rights and responsibilities that accompany academic freedom are at the heart of the
intellectual purposes of the University. Our conduct as community members should protect and
promote the University’s pursuit of its academic mission. We are all, therefore, expected to
conduct ourselves with integrity in our learning, teaching and research, an in the ways in which
we support those endeavors.
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