AS in Early Childhood – Course Descriptions

General Education – 36 credits

ENGLISH – COMMUNICATIONS ART & LITERATURE (9 credits needed)

ENG1303 Rhetoric and Composition
3 credits. The study of process and strategy in writing analytical and argumentative essays. This is a writing-intensive course in the General Education program.

ENG1304 Literature Seminar: The Challenge of Faith
3 credits. A study of effective reading, analyzing, interpreting, and writing about literature in multiple genres focused on themed selections in a seminar format. (Challenge of Faith)

ENG1305 Literature Seminar: Family and Identity
3 credits. A study of effective reading, analyzing, interpreting, and writing about literature in multiple genres focused on themed selections in a seminar format. (Family and Identity)

ENG1306 Literature Seminar: Leisure and Labor
3 credits. A study of effective reading, analyzing, interpreting, and writing about literature in multiple genres focused on themed selections in a seminar format. (Leisure and Labor)

ENG3310 Interpersonal Communication
3 credits. The theory and practice of communication in formal and informal settings, focusing on relationships, conflict resolution, and small-group dynamics

FINE ARTS ELECTIVES (3 credits needed)

MUS2201 Introduction to Fine Arts
3 credits. An overview of music and the visual arts in Western culture, explored within religious, cultural, and historical contexts.

MUS3201 Music History: Ancient Times through Baroque
3 credits. Survey of Western music from the Medieval through the Baroque periods.

MUS3202 Music History: Classical through Present
3 credits. Survey of Western music from the Classical period to the present. Note reading ability recommended.

HIS3001 Survey of Art
3 credits. An introductory study of representative artists and their works for the purpose of developing an appreciation of the graphic arts, architecture, and sculpture.

HISTORY – SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES (6 credits needed)

HIS2001 US History I
3 credits. A survey of the history of the United States from its colonial origins to the end of the nineteenth century. Prerequisite(s): ENG1303

HIS2113 The Modern West: From the Renaissance to World War II
3 credits. Maturation and diffusion of Western civilization from the Italian Renaissance to the end of the Second World War.

HIS3011 US History II
3 credits. A survey of political, social, economic, and foreign policy trends in American History since 1900. This is a writing-intensive course.

HIS3010 United States History Since 1945
3 credits. A post-World War II survey on both domestic and foreign developments in the United States, examining political, economic, social, cultural, and religious trends. This is a writing-intensive course in the General Education program.

SSC3210 World Regional Geography
3 credits. An overview of the world’s major realms from a spatial perspective. The physiographic and cultural landscapes of regions are explored using systematic geographic concepts.

INTERCULTURAL ELECTIVES (3 credits needed)

ENG3010 American Minority Writers
3 credits. An analysis of selected works of contemporary American minority writers, including Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Native Americans.

HIS3026 Immigration and Ethnicity in United States History
3 credits. An examination of the experience of immigrants in United States history and of the role that race and ethnicity have played in American politics and society from the colonial era to the present.

MUS3213 Music in World Cultures
3 credits. An examination of the role of music in selected world cultures. Includes analysis of representative genres and practices.

SSC4201 Introduction to Minority Cultures
3 credits. An overview of the beliefs, customs, and behaviors of minority ethnic groups in the United States as compared to the student’s own culture.

MATHEMATICS ELECTIVES (3 credits needed)

MTH1012 Organizational and Personal Finance
3 credits. A study of the mathematics of finance used in an organizational context and in a personal context. Applications include the following items: goal-setting and long-term planning; budget preparation, tracking, and reporting; executing capital projects; savings, loans, and investment options; and issues in taxes and health care.

MTH2010 Calculus I
3 credits. An introduction to analytic geometry and single-variable calculus, with emphasis on limits and on differentiation and its applications. Prerequisite(s): successful completion of high school pre-calculus course or equivalent

MTH2020 Elementary Statistics
3 credits. Statistical concepts and methods for application. Topics include descriptive statistics, bivariate linear models, discrete and normal distributions, central limit theorem, estimation, and hypothesis testing.

MTH2022 Discrete Mathematics
3 credits. The study of algorithms, graph theory, and Boolean algebra with applications of each.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (2 credits needed)

PED1129 Self Defense
0.5 credits. A Personal and Social Responsibility approach to mental and physical self-defense which includes creating the safest environment possible, the motivations and behaviors of criminals and what they look for in their victims, how to fight an attacker’s weaknesses, not his strengths, and kicks, punches, strikes and other techniques for defending oneself in a variety of situations.

PED1131 Soccer
0.5 credits. A Skill/Theme approach provides instruction in the fundamentals of soccer as a lifetime leisure activity. Designed for beginning and intermediate skill levels with an emphasis on developing and practicing proper techniques, strategies, and the rules associated with the game of soccer. Prerequisite(s): Beginning or intermediate skill level only

PED1133 Softball
0.5 credits. A Sport Education approach provides experiences in developing competency, literacy, and enthusiasm for the game of softball through the development of beginning and intermediate softball skills, including throwing, catching, hitting, bunting, base running, rules, game strategies and tactics.

PED1135 Tennis
0.5 credits. A Tactical Games approach provides practical experiences in serving, backhand and forehands, lobs, and other tennis shots, along with understanding the strategies and health benefits of tennis.

PED1137 Volleyball
0.5 credits. A Sport Education approach is used to develop competency, literacy, and enthusiasm for volleyball through the development of skills, techniques, strategies, and rules governing the game.

PED1139 Weight Training
0.5 credits. A lifetime fitness skill/theme approach that provides instruction in the fundamentals of weight training as a lifetime fitness activity. Designed for all skill levels with an emphasis on developing and practicing proper and safe lifting and spotting techniques associated with overall body lifts that are based on lifetime fitness practices.

PED1143 Folk and Square Dance
0.5 credits. A Cultural Studies approach provides practical experiences in mastering the skills of a variety of folk and square dances and in learning how dance contributes positively to individual well-being and to group, community, and national cultures.

PED1145 Ropes Course
0.5 credits. An Adventure-Based Learning experience to help students challenge themselves, cooperate on tasks with classmates, take appropriate risks, trust in oneself and others, and solve problems related to high and low ropes challenges. The majority of this course takes place off campus for two days immediately following second semester exam

PED1147 Swimming and Water Safety
0.5 credits. A Personal and Social Responsibility approach introduces students to swimming strokes, water entry and treading water. Topics on water safety are integrated with swimming instruction.

PED1149 Ultimate Frisbee and Disc Golf
0.5 credits. A Tactical Games approach provides practical experiences in problem solving by developing tactical skills for use in the games of Ultimate and Disc Golf. Students acquire skill competency, literacy, and enthusiasm for both ultimate and disc golf through active participation.

SCIENCE ELECTIVE (3 credits needed)

SCI1003 Biology
3 credits. An introduction to the diversity of life forms and a correlation of their unifying and interdependent mechanisms with an emphasis on human interaction. Two lecture periods and one two-hour laboratory per week. Taken concurrently with SCI1004

SCI1004 Biology Laboratory
A two-hour laboratory. Taken concurrently with SCI1003

SCI1102 Physical Science
3 credits. Survey of physical science. Topics include: mechanics, light and optics, electricity and magnetism, and properties of matter. Four periods per week inclusive of lab activities.

SCI2025 General Chemistry I
3 credits. A study of the fundamental principles of chemistry, including an examination of atomic theory and structure, chemical bonding and molecular shapes, periodicity and descriptive chemistry of the elements, physical states, inorganic nomenclature, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and solutions; and an introduction to chemical kinetics and equilibria with emphasis on acids and bases. Four periods per week including a laboratory component.

THEOLOGY (7 credits needed)

Old Testament (2 credits needed)

THE9105 Old Testament Bible Lessons
2 credits. An in-depth study of the Old Testament Bible stories that are commonly taught in Lutheran early childhood ministries, stories that reveal how God carried out his plan of salvation and that point to Jesus as the promised Savior.

THE1001 Biblical History and Literature I
3 credits. A survey of God’s grace through the literature of the Old Testament’s historical and wisdom writings, with a focus on the promises God made throughout the history of ancient Israel.

New Testament (2 credits needed)

THE9106 New Testament Bible Lessons
2 credits. An in-depth study of the New Testament Bible lessons commonly taught in Lutheran early childhood centers with a focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; the spreading of the Christian Church; faith and eternal life; and the office of the public ministry.

THE1002 Biblical History and Literature II
3 credits. A survey of God’s grace through the literature of the Old Testament major prophets and the New Testament gospel accounts set in the context of exilic and post-exilic literature and Intertestamental historical record.

New Testament Epistles (3 credits needed)

THE2001 Biblical History and Literature III
3 credits. A survey of God’s grace through the literature of selected New Testament epistles set in the context of the book of Acts. This is a writing-intensive course in undergraduate General Education programs.

Doctrine – 6 credits

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (6 credits needed)

THE9534 Grounded in Scripture
3 credits. An introduction to theology that focuses upon scriptural teachings that are of special importance to Christian early childhood teachers and lay chaplains.

THE3001 Christian Doctrine I
3 credits. A study of those truths that the Bible, as the divinely inspired source of doctrine, presents concerning the author, the object, and the mediator of salvation.

THE3002 Christian Doctrine II
3 credits. The scriptural truths concerning the blessing the Holy Spirit showers on believers, individually and collectively, in the presentation and appropriation of the gift of salvation.

THE4001 Lutheran Confessional Writings
3 credits. The origin, content, and significance of the confessions of the Lutheran Church as contained in the Book of Concord (1580). Prerequisite(s): THE1001 or THE1002 or THE2001 or THE3001 or THE3002 or senior standing or consent of instructor.

Professional Education – 25 credits

CHILD DEVELOPMENT (9 credits)

EDU9120 A Field Guide to Early Childhood Development
3 credits. Physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of preprimary children and its impact on developmentally appropriate practices and instructional approaches.

PSY3020 Psychology of Learning
3 credits. An investigation of psychological findings and concepts regarding the learner, the learning process, and learning situations.

SPE2101 Educating the Exceptional Learner
3 credits. Study of legislation, current issues, instruction, and resources as they apply to the needs and characteristics of exceptional learners ages birth to 21.

EARLY CHILDHOOD MINISTRY (5 credits)

EDU8103 Developing Home & School Relationships
1 credit. Emphasis on developing a family-oriented classroom, techniques of communication, methods of actively engaging families, and resources to benefit family nurturing and school interaction. A family take-home kit and plan for implementing partnerships will be developed.

EDU8114 Roles and Responsibilities of the Lutheran Early Childhood Educator
1 credit. An examination of the role of the early childhood educator in a Lutheran early childhood ministry setting.

EDU9109 Bible Story Telling in Early Childhood
1 credit. Materials and methods for effective Bible storytelling and for enabling children’s retelling. (clinical)

MUS8101 Music and Worship in ECE
1 credit. Spiritual, musical, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects of music learning in early childhood. Participants will survey early childhood music learning theories and music teaching methods. The course will include the use of the WELS music curriculum, Sing and Make Music.

THE8112 The Role of ECE in Mission Outreach
1 credit. Strategies to increase gospel outreach through early childhood education.

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING (11 credits)

EDU8101 Intellectual, Social, & Emotional
1 credit. The social and emotional development of preprimary children and its impact on cognitive functioning and instructional approaches.

EDU8102 Operation & Management of ECE
1 credit. An overview of the operation and management of early childhood education programs.

EDU9111 Early Childhood Philosophy
1 credit. An overview of early childhood education that includes historical, philosophical, and cultural perspectives and how they influence educational practice today. A look at society’s influence on families and the diversity of families today.

EDU8105 Encouraging Literacy Development
1 credit. Theoretical and practical approach to promoting children’s emergent language development in early childhood settings. (clinical)

EDU8106 Play and Learning Experiences
1 credit. A study of young children’s learning through play, with a focus on ages 3-5. Includes identifying active learning experiences, establishing and maintaining an environment for play, and identifying teacher roles in play-based learning.

EDU8108 Preprimary Curriculum Essentials I
1 credit. Theory, research evidence, standards, teaching practices, Christian ECE philosophy, an active early learning environment, and a consistent daily routine that underlie and support a quality ECE curriculum.

EDU8109 Preprimary Curriculum Essentials II
1 credit. Theory, research evidence, standards, teaching practices that underlie and support the ECE curriculum areas of mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and the visual and dramatic arts.

EDU8112 Health and Safety in Early Childhood
1 credit. Planning for safety, first aid, health, and nutrition in the early childhood learning environment.

EDU8113 Assessment of Young Children
1 credit. The knowledge and skills necessary to establish a practical approach for the observation and development assessment of young children and communication of progress to parents. (clinical)

PED8101 Physical and Motor Development for Pre-primary
1 credit. Teachers of young children play a vital role in fostering their physical and motor development. This two-day course addresses the physical needs of children from conception through childhood. Participants will plan for a week of physical education classes using a format presented in class. (clinical)