EDU 495: Child Studies Capstone

Course Description

In this 3-credit capstone course, students demonstrate fulfillment of the various outcomes of their major courses. Each student will complete the capstone project to demonstrate that the student understands clearly his or her major, has mastered the content of the selected field(s) of study, and can synthesize and apply what he or she has learned. The capstone project may take one of several formats: a research paper, scholarly essay, portfolio, presentation of creative work, business plan, case study, or any other mode appropriate to the student’s interest and experience. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned to meet the requirements of the major.

Prerequisites

• Students must have completed most of their major courses and take this course in their last semester. Academic Counselor approval is required to register.
• ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• ECE 176: Health, Safety and Nurtition: Birth to Eight
• ECE 205: Diversity and Ethics in Early Childhood Education
• ECE 217: The Exceptional Learner
• ECE 247: Child Development: Birth to Eight
• EDU 305: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ENG 101: English Composition 1
• ENG 102: English Composition 2
• PSY 410: Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences
• SOC 320: Urban Youth in American Society
• SOC 350: Children, School and the Community

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Students who graduate with a concentration in Child Studies will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of typical and atypical development in children to create positive learning environments;
2. Describe the diverse and complex characteristics of families and communities to establish respectful, reciprocal relationships that help to empower families;
3. Explain the value of observing children as a means of assessing their development;
4. Select and design developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities to promote positive development and learning for children;
5. Apply current research and literature in the field to practice; and
6. Value ongoing continuous professional development.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1. Demonstrate reading and writing communication competence by effectively acquiring, developing and conveying ideas and information.
2. Perform, analyze and synthesize an organized and systematic review of current literature related to selected topic. Literature includes current research (within 10 years) some of which may be accessed through virtual library.
3. Compare and contrast findings/ideas from literature review.
4. Integrate ideas and findings from literature review with current developmentally appropriate practices (using NAEYC as the standard) for typically and atypically developing children ages birth through 8 years old.
5. Make recommendations for change (of personal practices) based on new findings.

Course Activities and Grading

Make recommendations for change (of personal practices) based on new findings

Grading Standards

The project will:

• Express with clarity and precision the idea of the project
• Demonstrate substantial knowledge of the content of the major
• Evaluate critically the validity of the project within the major
• Reflect proficiency in the terminology and language appropriate to the major
• Exemplify effectively the methodology of the major
• Reveal the personal thoughts and opinions of the student
• Demonstrate the writing proficiencies of the senior level of college writing
• Be a minimum of 35 pages. Typical projects are between 50-100 pages.

Grades

A = exemplary level of performance – effectively demonstrates all seven standards

B = high level of performance – demonstrates six of the seven standards

C = satisfactory level of performance – demonstrates five of the seven standards

F = unsatisfactory level of performance – demonstrates fewer than five of the seven standards

Required Text

• There is no required textbook for this Capstone course.

Recommended Resource

• Student should have an up-to-date reference guidefor citation methods, appropriate word usage, grammar and punctuation. APA Concise Edition, 7th edition is one such resource.

Course Schedule

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.