2024–2025 CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 105 EEC3407 Planning with a Purpose 40 hours, 4 credits Students will explore how to be responsive to young children’s learning pathways and the needs of each child by incorporating differentiated instruction and play as core teaching practices. Students will incorporate developmentally appropriate practices and evidence-based teaching strategies that reflect the principles of Universal Design for Learning and supporting all children ages birth to age 8. Prerequisite: EEC3318 Intentional Teaching Practices EEC3546 Supporting Professional Practices in Early Childhood Education 40 hours, 4 credits This course is the study of how to support professionalism of the early childhood field and places focus on practices that an ECE professional would engage in to increase their ability to provide high- quality services. Topics include advocacy, coaching and mentoring, reflective practices, and how to model professionalism both within the ECE program and in the community. This course prepares students to locate and use resources to reach their professional goals as well as to be an advocate for high-quality early childhood education. Prerequisite: None EEC4000 Early Childhood Education: Environments and Play Theory 40 hours, 4 credits This course will explore how play and the environment promote learning and development in young children. Strategies to enhance indoor and outdoor learning environments will be emphasized. Students will reflect on their practices as they evaluate a wide variety of learning environments and curriculum models. Using knowledge of child development, students will design learning environments that are respectful, supportive, and challenging. Prerequisite: None EEC4005 Advanced Principles and Perspectives of Child Development 40 hours, 4 credits This course is an advanced study in the theory and principles of child development. An evaluation of current educational practices as developmentally appropriate will challenge students to examine their own perspectives on how children learn. Focus will be on the primary years of development through in-depth exploration of gender roles, socialization, and cultural perspectives. Prerequisite: None EEC4010 Early Childhood Language and Literacy Learning 40 hours, 4 credits This course emphasizes best practices for promoting language and literacy development for children birth to age 8. Opportunities to apply knowledge of typical and dual language learning to create curriculum responsive to developmental needs will be addressed. Integrating assessment, early learning standards, and developmentally appropriate practices to support optimum child outcomes in language and literacy learning will be stressed. Prerequisite: None EEC4015 Early Childhood Education: Diversity and Social Justice 40 hours, 4 credits This course is an examination of diversity and social justice issues as related to high quality early childhood education for children ages birth to 8. It explores diversity, race, equity, and anti-bias perspectives both in society and working with young children and families. It explores the concepts of cultural competence and cultural humility as part of an anti-bias learning experience for young children. Prerequisite: None EEC4022 Ethics and Leadership in Early Childhood Education 40 hours, 4 credits This course examines the principles of ethics and leadership in early childhood education through self-reflection and practice in defending these principles. This course includes the practical application of advocacy for young children and their families. Students will develop leadership skills across various areas including parent communication, care and education, policy, and advocacy. Students will also learn strategies to train and mentor future leaders in the field of early childhood education and will explore the impact of professionalism on children, families, and the community. Prerequisite: EEC3007 Organizational Management in Early Childhood Education EEC4030 Supporting Exceptional Children and their Families 40 hours, 4 credits This course is a comprehensive approach to supporting children with exceptional needs. Content will explore the importance of caring for all children with exceptional needs; including diagnosed and undiagnosed special needs, children who are gifted, neurodivergent, and dual-language learners. Supporting and advocating for the needs of children and their families will be addressed along with an exploration of the history, laws and provisions supporting children with special needs in group childcare and education settings. Prerequisite: None EEC4485 Early Childhood Education Advocacy, Research and Policy 40 hours, 4 credits This course explores trends in the early childhood education field. Students will examine current research and national, local and legislative policies. Students will analyze research and the effects on early childhood care and education. Advocacy strategies and skills will be explored as students set goals for future engagement in the early childhood education profession. Prerequisite: Must be taken in the student’s last or second-to-last term EEC4910 Early Childhood Education Leadership Capstone 20 hours, 2 credits This course is a synthesis of material from all ECE courses. Students will compile a professional philosophy demonstrating their competence as a leader in the early childhood education field and their proficiency with the transferable skills. Prerequisite: Must be taken in the student’s last term EEX2010 The Exceptional Child 40 hours, 4 credits This course explores the importance of inclusion in early childhood settings. Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of exceptional child development, including psychological, sociological, and medical aspects of diagnosed disabilities, delays, and neurodivergence. Students will identify stakeholders influencing exceptional development and their roles as resources in support of the child and their families. Prerequisite: EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development ENC1101 English Composition 40 hours, 4 credits This course is designed to guide students in understanding the writing process and developing their ability to write and express ideas in an organized, unified, and coherent manner. Students will produce college-level writing that reflects awareness of rhetorical strategies, writing purpose, student voice, and appropriate grammar, punctuation, and usage skills. Through reading, writing, discussion, research, and collaboration, students will practice effective writing and apply course concepts. Prerequisite: Passing grade in Developmental Education coursework or placement determined by Rasmussen University entrance placement exam score ENC1121 English Composition II 40 hours, 4 credits This course builds on students’ understanding of the writing process through an exploration of various writing strategies and research. Students will analyze readings and apply critical reading and writing skills. This course will develop argumentative writing and application of research. Prerequisite: ENC1101 English Composition ENC3311 Advanced Composition 40 hours, 4 credits This advanced writing course is intended to help students further develop and refine their writing, researching, and analytical skills through the application of these skills to various rhetorical situations. To achieve these goals, students will be expected to develop their ability to present their views in an organized, unified, and coherent manner to diverse audiences. Prerequisite: ENC1101 English Composition EVR3410 Human Uses of the Environment 40 hours, 4 credits This course provides an in-depth exploration of the integrated relationship between human life and the surrounding environment, beginning with a study of the fundamental concepts and principles of ecology. Topics that are interwoven throughout the course include principles of ecology, as seen in the structure and function of the ecosystem; pollution of air, soil, and water resources; population explosion and the relationship of people, disease, and food production; and environmental controls necessary for survival. Prerequisite: None FIL2000 Film Appreciation 40 hours, 4 credits Students will study different elements, forms, techniques, and styles of film and will learn a critical approach to film and the motion picture industry. Students will critique films and filmmakers through various approaches and assessments that demonstrate analysis, interpretation, and evaluation skills as well as fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of film as an art form. Prerequisite: None FIN1000 Principles of Finance 40 hours, 4 credits This course is a study of financial institutions, investment options, and financial management. A broad study of the financial markets, the financial statements, time value of money concepts, capital structure, and breakeven analysis is the focus of this course. This course will provide students the opportunity to demonstrate application of corporate finance tools used in business. Prerequisite: None FIN1202 Financial Markets and Institutions 40 hours, 4 credits This course is the standard introduction to the banking profession, financial markets, and financial institutions. It touches on nearly every aspect of financial services, from the fundamentals of negotiable instruments to contemporary issues and developments within the industry. Prerequisite: None FIN3247 Investments and Security Markets 40 hours, 4 credits This course is the study of investments, securities, markets, and regulators. It places focus on understanding how various types of securities work as well as how to value the securities. Topics covered will be stocks, bonds, and derivatives. This course will prepare students for investment and securities analysis. Prerequisite: None ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ADDENDUM
