Summer Session 2001

Monday, Wednesday & Friday

8:30-12:20 in WIvIX 3253

S

EDUC471 -4

D02.00

Dr. Susan Gerofsky

Office: TBA

Phone:

291-3395

E-mail: gerofsky@sfu.ca

PREREQUISITES

60 credit hours

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, we will look at curriculum as educational practice based on views of the learner,

knowledge, culture, society and the self. Both the K-to-12 BC school curriculum and other, alternative

forms of curriculum will be our focus. We will explore topics such as the history of curriculum

development, differences between "complex" and "complicated" theories of learning, the prescribed

versus the experienced curriculum, and what is included and excluded from a curriculum depending

on its developers' theoretical views. We will look at a variety of narratives about classroom

experiences and interpret them in terms of their roots in curriculum theory. In all our study of

curriculum theory, we will consider the implications for us as teachers in our everyday practice as

creators of living curriculum.

PURPOSE

This course should allow students to understand a broad range of ideas in curriculum development,

and bring new insights to their own curriculum theories and practice.

EVALUATION

Grading will be based on written assignments and class presentations. Regular attendance is

mandatory.

REQUIRED READING

Davis, Brent, Dennis Sumara, & Rebecca Luce-Kapler. (2000). Engaging Minds: Learning and Teaching

in a Complex World. Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. (ISBN: 0-8058-3785-X)

Custom Courseware Package: EDUC 471-4, Summer 2001