May 20, 2025  
2025-2026 College Catalog 
    
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2025-2026 College Catalog

EDU 200 - Introduction to Education

3 Contact Hours, 3 Credits
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods


Provides students with an introductory overview of Education. Includes purposes of schools and schooling; characteristics of effective schools; diversity and its effects on schools, teachers, and students; social problems affecting schools; comparative education; curriculum issues and controversies; and technology’s impact on schools and schooling. Also includes philosophical, legal, and financial issues facing today’s schools; history of American education; and current trends in education reform.

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Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Discuss the primary purposes of schools, including the philosophy and history of education.
  2. Explain the effects of diversity on schools, teachers, and students.
  3. Explain the effects of social problems on schools, teachers, and students.
  4. Compare and analyze educational problems and trends throughout the world.
  5. Discuss curriculum controversies surrounding standards-based practices and current educational reform initiatives.
  6. Articulate a personal philosophy of education that demonstrates 1) a commitment to engaging and supporting all students actively; 2) an understanding of the teaching/learning/evaluation process; 3) a dedication to the teaching profession; and 4) a desire to grow and develop professionally.
Outline:
  1. Defining Schools/Foundations of Education
    1. Overview: education and schooling
    2. Purposes of schools
    3. Models of schools
    4. Schools as cultures
    5. Schools as transmitters of culture
    6. Examining the nature of schools
    7. What is a good school?
    8. Governance, influences, and finances
    9. Technology and education
  2. Today’s Student
    1. Student diversity
    2. Racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity
    3. Diverse needs
    4. Diverse abilities
    5. School’s response to diversity
    6. Teacher’s response to diversity
  3. Social Problems Affecting Today’s Students/Ethical and Legal Issues
    1. Family patterns
    2. Poverty
    3. Homelessness
    4. Teen pregnancy
    5. Abuse
    6. Violence
    7. School dropouts
  4. Curriculum
    1. Curriculum defined
    2. Standards-based movement
    3. Assessment
    4. Curriculum controversies
    5. Influences on curriculum development and management
  5. Comparative Education
    1. What is comparative education?
    2. Key problems and trends throughout the world
    3. Education reform worldwide
  6. Effective Teaching and the Profession
    1. Effective decision making
    2. Attitudes
    3. Subject matter knowledge
    4. Theoretical knowledge
    5. Practical knowledge
    6. Basic teaching skills
    7. Status of the teaching profession
    8. Professional development
    9. Examining personal motives for entering the field
    10. Rewards of teaching