&MON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Spring Semester 2002

EDUC 471 -4

Dr. David Piper

Curriculum Development: ?

Office: TBA

Theory and Practice

?

Phone:

291-3395

Thursday

16:30-20:20

in EDB

8620 ?

E01.00

?

Email: dpiper@telus.net

PREREQUISITES

60 credit hours

DESCRIPTION

This course will examine the foundations of curriculum development in its relation to teaching

practice. In the first two thirds of the course, we will examine the basic types of curriculum to be

found in schools and colleges together with the basic assumptions and beliefs underlying them. We

will also enter critical discussions about the possibilities of pairing curriculum models with particular

educational objectives and situations. One of the primary goals of this part of the course will be to

help students identify their own philosophy of education as a basis for arguing and defending their

positions. Following the foundational overview, the objective in the remaining third of the course

will be to familiarize students with some of the vital contemporary issues affecting curriculum

development and teaching practice. Among the topics to be addressed will be: curriculum and

information technology, curriculum and cultural diversity, and curriculum and the changing nature

of the Self. In this section of the course, students will be divided into presentation groups on the

basis of their topic preferences. The instructor will provide each group with background readings on

their chosen topic.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• In class group assignments - 25%

• Group presentation on assigned topic - 30%

• Final take-home essay examination - 45%

REQUIRED TEXT

Miller, J.P. and Seller, W. (1990). Curriculum Perspectives and Practice. Toronto: Copp Clark Pitman.