COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

8.3.1 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Not all courses will necessarily be offered each year. All 600-level courses are restricted to students in the joint Ph.D. program.

80-510.Statistics in Education
This course will deal with the following: descriptive and inferential statistical procedures; commonly used one- and two-sample tests; an introduction to analysis variance and corresponding research designs. (3 lecture hours a week.)

80-524.Fundamentals of Curriculum Theory and Development
A survey of the major theories of curriculum that have influenced education Canada. An outline of the techniques employed in curriculum development, including sources of influence and control, specification of outcomes, selection and coordination of activities, strategies, resources and evaluation. (3 hours a week.)

80-527.Research in Education
An overview of educational research methods: e.g., the interpretation of research
literature, the identification and use of data bases, the design of research proposals and the application of specific methods to research projects. (3 lecture hours a week.)

80-530.Qualitative Methods in Educational Research
This course will examine the concepts and methods involved in carrying out educational research through naturalistic observation, participant observation, case studies, and other qualitative approaches. (3 lecture hours a week)

80-531.Supervision of the Instructional Process
A practice-oriented course designed to develop administrative competency in the
supervision of instruction. The focus will be threefold: (1) awareness and recognition of specific technical skills, (2) the development of competence in interpersonal and group skills, and (3) a general examination of supervisory approaches. (3 lecture hours a week.)

80-534.Individual Reading
The Individual Reading course is intended to permit students with special interests in, and knowledge of, particular areas of education not covered in sufficient depth in available courses to pursue those interests through independent, supervised study. (Permission of an advisor and of a committee of the Graduate Studies Committee is required.)

80-554.Fundamentals of Instructional Design
This course will consider current principles, research, theory and practice in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of instruction within various learning and teaching settings. (3 hours a week.)

80-555.Strategies for the Implementation of Change in Education
Procedures for dissemination, adoption, implementation, and integration of changes for teachers, administrators, and leaders of professional organizations. Attention will be given to theoretical models and their applications, change agency, and modification of organizational climate and structure. (3 hours a week.) 

80-602.Core Seminar I: Current Research, Theories, and Issues
Core Seminars I and II are compulsory for all students. The Seminars promote breadth in understanding the interdisciplinary dimensions of educational studies and will focus on current research, theories, and issues. The Core Seminars are the primary vehicle for integration across fields and universities and operate face-to-face. The Core Seminars are held each July and rotate to different home university campuses annually. 

80-604.Core Seminar II: Current Research, Theories, and Issues
Core Seminars I and II are compulsory for all students. The Seminars promote breadth in understanding the interdisciplinary dimensions of educational studies and will focus on current research, theories, and issues. The Core Seminars are the primary vehicle for integration across fields and universities and operate face-to-face. The Core Seminars are held each July and rotate to different home university campuses annually. 

80-621.Educational Policy and Leadership: Historical Contexts
The global development of theories related to educational policy and leadership are
analyzed. Candidates critically examine the history of Canadian schools at all levels and consider how policy and leadership practices relate to theoretical traditions.

80-623.Contemporary Issues in Educational Policy and Leadership
Selected case studies are used to analyze contemporary social, economic, and political issues affecting educational policy and leadership in Canadian and international contexts. Current debates and research approaches inform candidates' decisions about their dissertation work and its likely impact upon the field. 

80-631.Sociocultural Contexts of Curriculum
The traditional bases of curriculum theory are examined in relation to the perspectives drawn from diverse disciplines such as comparative education, cultural psychology, history, philosophy, and sociology to advance understanding of the social, historical, and cultural influences on curriculum, teaching and learning. Candidates will analyze existing theories and models and construct alternative frameworks.

80-633.Selected Topics in Sociocultural Contexts of Education 
Sociocultural issues related to such themes as gender, race, ethnicity, and their
influences on education are examined and deconstructed.

80-641.Conceptual Bases for Cognition and Learning 
Current theories and models of teaching, learning, and assessment are analyzed from the perspective of the potential and implications of such models for research on cognition and learning.

80-643.Contemporary Issues in Research on Cognition and Learning 
Selected contemporary research issues relating to cognition and learning are studied. Topics will vary from term to term. Candidates' research concerns and interests will help to guide the selection of topics.

80-651.Directed Study
Under the supervision of a faculty member with appropriate expertise, the candidate may complete a sustained program of study relating to a topic of current theoretical and/or empirical interest within the program field and leading to the production of a substantial research paper. subject to the approval of the Joint Program Committee, directed studies are intended for students with special interests which cannot be satisfied by courses that are otherwise available. 

80-669.Research Proposal Colloquium
Candidates develop the dissertation proposal. Participants registered in the colloquium will be in contact through a computer conferencing program.

80-680.Comprehensive Portfolio

80-796.Major Paper
Conducted under the guidance of at least two members of the Faculty, a major paper may analyze and evaluate a substantial body of scholarly literature or describe or interpret a research project undertaken by the student. The major paper is subject to an oral examination (see Thesis or Major Paper, 1.6.3, and Program Requirements, 8.2.2).

80-797.Thesis
(See Thesis or Major Paper, 1.6.3, and Program Requirements, 8.2.1.)

80-798.Doctoral Dissertation
(See Dissertation, 1.5.3, and Program Requirements, 8.2.1.)

81-503.The Psychology of Learning and Teaching
This course will provide students with an in depth view of psychological theory and
research towards the understanding of learning and teaching. While both behavioural and cognitive perspectives will be discussed, the emphasis will be upon cognitive theory and application. Topics will include behaviourism, behaviour modification, information processing, metacognition, cognitive behaviour modification, cognitive strategy training, motivation and individual differences.(3 lecture hours a week.)

81-537.Language Arts in the Elementary School
This course will examine issues in language arts instruction in the light of current
language theories. The focus is on current research and its practical application, with special emphasis on methods of instruction, teacher strategies, student activities and evaluation practices. (3 lecture hours a week.)

81-539.Second Language Teaching: Theories and Applications
This course reviews current thinking on the nature of language, communication and
second-language learning and examines implications for teaching methods and
curriculum design. (3 lecture hours a week.)

81-541.The Social Sciences Curriculum
An examination of trends and development of social science curricula. Curriculum theory will be applied to one or more of the social sciences within the context of provincial guidelines and the academic and professional qualifications of the students. (3 lecture hours a week.)

81-547.Learning in Science
This course will consider current research and theory in the promotion of science as a process and product. Included will be a critical survey of recent issues in science
education. The focus will be on their implications for curriculum and practice at the
classroom level. An examination of some of the major difficulties in the design,
development, implementation, and evaluation of science curricula. (3 lecture hours a
week.)

81-551.Microcomputers for Educators
A comprehensive survey of the uses of microcomputers in the classroom, including a discussion of current issues in the use of microcomputers by educators. (3 lecture hours a week.)

81-552.Curriculum Developments in Mathematics Education
This course will examine recent developments in curriculum, instruction, and evaluation in elementary and secondary mathematics education. Trends will be discussed in light of recent research findings, technological advances, and social goals. International comparisons will be made.

81-553.The Teaching and Learning of Mathematics
This course will examine research into students' learning and the teaching of
mathematics. First, the motivational aspects of teaching and learning will be considered, including those related to the topic "Women in Mathematics." Second, specific mathematical topics will be dealt with, selected according to the interests of students. (3 lecture hours a week.)

81-556.Approaches to Literacy Development
This course will consider current research and theory in the development of reading and writing abilities, and will examine some aspects of assessing literacy development. (3 lecture hours a week.)

81-557.The English Language Arts 
This course will examine current theories and issues in the English Language Arts with particular focus on their implications for curriculum and practice in the intermediate and senior divisions. Current issues at the local or provincial level, determined by the group, may be examined in detail. (3 lecture hours a week.)

81-558.Psychology of Learning Problems
This course will review current theories of learning disabilities and learning problems. Various approaches to diagnosis and remediation will be presented. Students will be expected to discuss case study examples during the course, and to develop a particular interest area to great depth. (Prerequisite: 81-503 or permission of instructor.) (3 lecture hours a week.)

81-572.Theory and Practice in Early Childhood Education
An examination of theory and current practice in Early Childhood Education. The
emphasis will be on the translation of theory into sound educational practice.
Organization and management of Early Childhood programs will be of concern as well as teaching procedures. (3 lecture hours a week.)

82-529.Theories of Educational Administration
This course will examine current knowledge in educational administration. Theory,
research, and the practice of leadership within the educational system will be the main foci. Emphasis will be placed on administrative problems, such as staff development, team building, and motivation. (3 lecture hours a week.)

82-532.Organization and Administration of the School
This course will consider and analyze the many variables impacting upon school
administrators as they organize their schools. The effects of administrative theory, past and present, will be considered. A case study approach will be taken to the problems of day-to-day operation. (3 lecture hours a week.)

82-535.Organizational Behaviour in Educational Institutions
A study of theory and research in the socio-behavioral sciences which concerns the
behaviour of individuals and groups in educational settings. Attention will be given to the implications of such theory and research for administration in educational institutions. (3 lecture hours a week.)

82-550.Issues in Education
This course will examine current issues affecting contemporary Canadian education.
Specific course content and instructors will be published in advance. (3 lecture hours a week.)

82-560.Politics of Education
This course will examine the administration of education from a political perspective. Both the legal and extra-legal factors that influence educational outcomes will be examined. Their roles will be viewed in terms of comparative forms of educational administration. Finally, several administrative decisions will be analyzed using the perspectives gained throughout the course. (3 lecture hours a week.)

82-561.Legal Aspects of Education
This course will focus on legislation and court decisions dealing specifically with the
educational process. Both the historical and philosophical basis of these and the
practical application of the same in a contemporary setting will form the primary
emphasis for the course. (3 lecture hours a week.)

82-562.Educational Finance
This course will be concerned with educational finance in Canada, with particular
emphasis on Ontario. It will examine such topics as equity, accountability, efficiency,
and adequacy of educational revenues and expenditures. Provincial grant systems will be analyzed within the contexts of political governance and the economics of education. (3 lecture hours a week.)

82-565.Sociological Aspects of Education
This course will examine the school and its occupants and their relationship to the
contemporary social order. Analysis of topics such as student culture, learning and
social class, roles within the school setting will occur. The focus will be on theoretical
positions, representative research findings and representative research methods. (3
lecture hours a week.)

82-566.Interpersonal Relationships in Education
This course will analyze the importance and dynamics of interpersonal behaviour.
Students will be given the opportunity to examine and develop their own skills in this
area. Emphasis will also be placed upon a practical orientation toward utilizing these skills in the educational environment. (3 lecture hours a week.)