EDUC 1301 INTRODUCTION TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Ann Casstevens, M.Ed., L.P.C.
Department of Education
PO Box 9020 Tyler Junior College - Tyler Texas 75711
EMAIL: educ1301@yahoo.com
(3-0-1) (3 credits)
This course provides active recruitment and institutional support of students interested in a teaching career, especially in high need fields; provides students with opportunities to participate in early field observations at all levels of P-12 schools with varied and diverse student populations; and provides students with support from college and school faculty, preferably in small cohort groups, for the purpose of introduction to and analysis of the culture of schooling and classrooms. Course includes a 16 contact hour lab component, which must be in P-12 schools.
Welcome to Introduction to the Teaching Profession (EDUC 1301). This course focuses on an introduction to and analysis of the culture of schooling and classrooms. By the end of the semester the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all the listed learning objectives.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
If you successfully complete this course you will be able to understand each of the following concepts and apply them to the field of education:
Discuss the major social issues related to American education.
Discuss the major economic issues related to American education.
Discuss the major historical issues related to American education.
Discuss the major political issues related to American education.
Discuss the major philosophical issues related to American education.
Relate these issues specifically to the middle school setting.
Read and comprehend assigned reading material.
Write in an intelligent, informative manner.
Think critically in analyzing information.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Completing the textbook reading assignments.
Reading the online lectures.
Completing any additional reading or activities assigned, either as part of the lectures or as part of the assignments.
Completing all assigned activities
Completing an Field Base Experience requirements
Completing all tests and a final examination.
Completing all assignments on time.
Attending all class meetings and arriving on time. There are no excused or unexcused absences.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Institutional policies are in effect. All your work must be your own, unless I authorize collaboration, in which case you must, in writing, acknowledge the help you have received. Presenting as one's own work the words, ideas, or expressions of another in any form is cheating through plagiarism, and is not tolerated by your institution or by me. The claim of ignorance is no excuse. The web is a marvelous resource for today's students. I encourage you to use web resources in preparing your work. However, any sites used must be listed at the end of your work. Too, using web resources does not mean you can copy-and-paste from a site for use in your assignment, even if you give credit to the site. Your work must be precisely that ... your work in your words. I use web resources extensively and I can usually spot a copy-and-paste job instantly. At the least, I will refuse to accept your assignment. At the worst, students are frequently expelled for academic plagiarism. It's a huge risk for a limited return.
WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR GRADE
If assignments are submitted by the due date and are not up to the instructor's expectations, the assignment may be returned for revision at the discretion of the instructor.
Most assessments are open book unless otherwise noted.
ON CAMPUS STUDENTS: Attendance is a major part of your grade. There are no excused or unexcused absences. The difference between an A or a B, passing or failing, may be determined by class participation. If you are not in attendance, you are not participating. When you are absent, you are required to notify the instructor via email or in writing the reason for that absence. This will help document attendance. You are expected to Sign In at each class meeting.
Correct grammar usage will be considered in your grade. Rules for correct usage are available on this web page. Go to the Table of Contents to click on that link. TJC provides a Writing Lab for help with your writing skills. Use it if necessary.
If you consistently refuse to improve any grammar errors, this will adversely affect your grade. It is important that educators have good communication skills. Remember, you are held to a higher standard of behavior and performance.
REMEMBER: YOU DETERMINE THE GRADE YOU MAKE BY THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT YOU ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN THIS COURSE.
We recommend that you take advantage of the writing lab in Jenkins Hall. The lab staff have been kind enough to offer online services for those of you in online education classes. If you are interested, please contact them at link at the top of the page. If you are in a traditional class, your education classroom is just a couple of doors down the hall from the writing lab. Take that assignment you're working on and stop in at the lab. Get help from the superb lab specialists with your writing assignments. They can help you with spelling, grammar, structure ... anything that has to do with writing. Not only will your assignments (and grades!) improve, in the process you'll learn how to be the kind of writer you want YOUR students to become. As a teacher, you need to model for your students the things you want them to learn. But first, you have to learn it yourself! The Jenkins Hall Writing Lab is a great resource and it's free. Take advantage of it.