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Education | Faculty of Education Simon Fraser University Calendar | Spring 2025

Early Learning

Post Baccalaureate Diploma

This program provides a focus for students wishing to work with children aged three through eight.

Program Requirements

This program requires successful completion, within five years, of an approved program comprised of 30 units of upper division or graduate work and any necessary prerequisites. A minimum of 15 of the 30 units must be earned in education and/or educational professional courses and a maximum of 12 may be transfer units.

Courses completed within 10 years of starting the PBD may (with permission) be considered as part of the requirements for this diploma.

Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA on courses used for the diploma.

Courses completed during the EDUC 404 term may not be used toward a post baccalaureate diploma.

Students complete all of

EDUC 322 - The Social Lives of School Children (3)

An overview of theory, research and practice concerning social emotional development and social interactions and relationships in the school context. Emphasis on the role of peer relationships in development and the role of the school in supporting positive interactions. Prerequisite: EDUC 220 or PSYC 250.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Karen Kurytnik
Online
EDUC 464 - Early Childhood Education (4)

Current trends, issues and research relating to the education of young children. Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or PSYC 250 or corequisite EDUC 403.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Karen Kurytnik
Online
EDUC 465 - Children's Literature (4)

Historical, sociological and literary perspectives on literature for children. Prerequisite: 60 units.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Beth Marshall
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
Vancouver
EDUC 466 - Early Childhood Education: Curriculum and Instruction (4)

Designed to expand on the theoretical foundations provided in EDUC 464 engaging students in the critical analysis of programming for early learners by surveying a variety of program types and providing both an overview of content areas for further discussion and inquiry specific to curriculum and instruction. Prerequisite: Corequisite: EDUC 464.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Karen Kurytnik
Online

Plus a minimum of three courses chosen from the following:

EDUC 311 - Foundations in Indigenous Education, Language, and Culture (3)

An introduction to Indigenous education in Canada and BC. There will be a critical examination of historical and contemporary issues in education and an exploration of culturally based Indigenous education grounded in Indigenous philosophies. Prerequisite: 60 units. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Amy Parent
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
EDUC 315 - Individual and Developmental Differences in Language Acquisition (3)

A review of theories of language acquisition and their relationship to child communication disorders. Topics include: theories of language acquisition; individual and developmental differences in language acquisition; language structure and use in children with diverse disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, sensory disabilities and emotional and behavioral disabilities, interdisciplinary approaches to early intervention in the home, school and community. Prerequisite: EDUC 220 or PSYC 250 or LING 100. Students may be required to successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Maureen Hoskyn
Online
EDUC 326 - Creating Positive Learning Communities (3)

Prepares student teachers to design positive learning environments in K-12 classrooms. The focus will be on practical approaches to creating a space in which students and teachers can work successfully together toward common goals. Prerequisite: One of EDUC 100, 220, 230, or 240; or EDUC 401/402, or corequisite EDUC 403.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Paula Rosehart
Online
OL02 Ana Maria Navas Iannini
Online
EDUC 330 - Movement Language Elements for Dance in Education (3)

In this experiential course students will develop an understanding of the movement concepts (action, space, time, force, relationship) which are the framework for making and teaching dance. This course will explore dance as a non-verbal expressive language, and will introduce students to a variety of aspects of dance within the curriculum. Previous dance training is not required. Prerequisite: 60 units including six units in EDUC courses.

EDUC 341 - Literacy, Education and Culture (3)

What counts as literacy and whose literacies are valued? What does this mean for the organization of societies, and for teaching and learning? How is literacy implicated in projects of social ordering, colonialism, oppression and empowerment? This course explores these questions through case studies, histories, policies and place-based investigations of literacy education across the life course and inside and outside formal schooling. Prerequisite: 60 units including three units in EDUC courses. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Sessional
Online
EDUC 422 - Learning Disabilities (4)

A study of conceptual and historic foundations of learning disabilities and an introduction to the methodologies of diagnosis and of learning disabilities. Prerequisite: PSYC 250 or corequisite of EDUC 315 or 473. Students may be required to successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Maureen Hoskyn
Online
EDUC 441 - Multicultural and Anti-racist Education (4)

Focuses on developing approaches for multicultural and anti-racist teaching. Topics include: diversity of race, language and culture among learners; identifying the operation of racism, prejudice and discrimination in classrooms and schools; becoming familiar with a variety of approaches such as: co-operative learning, culturally appropriate assessment, and community involvement to counteract and prevent negative classroom and school dynamics; identifying bias in curriculum resources; and locating entry points in selected curriculum areas (e.g. language arts, social studies, art, music, etc.) for integrating approaches which employ a range of multicultural/anti-racist curriculum resources. Prerequisite: EDUC 100, or EDUC 230, or EDUC 240, or EDUC 250, or EDUC 401/402 or Corequisite: EDUC 403.

EDUC 457 - Drama and Education (4)

Deals with theory, curricula and methodologies in drama education. Topics will include a selection from the following: aims of drama education; drama as methodology; role of the teacher in the drama classroom; evaluating students in drama classes; creative drama; the use of improvisation and storytelling; incorporating film and video work into drama classes; developing major projects with students such as choral dramatization, docudrama, anthology, and readers theatre; introducing scene work, stagecraft, and theatre history. Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403.

EDUC 459 - Instructional Activities in Physical Education (4)

Focuses on theory and curriculum of school physical education programs. Emphasis is given to the movement education orientation as it pertains to the various program activities and approaches applicable to primary, intermediate and secondary levels. Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403.

EDUC 467 - Curriculum and Instruction in Teaching English as an Additional Language (4)

Designed for prospective and beginning teachers to learn more about theory, research, and practice in teaching English as an additional language (EAL) in today's multilingual classrooms. Exploring an integrated approach working with learners to develop language skills through designing and delivering curriculum, instruction and assessment. Prerequisite: 60 units plus one of the following: six units of EDUC course work; or completion of EDUC 401/402; or admission to the Certificate in Teaching ESL program, or co-requisite EDUC 403.

EDUC 471 - Curriculum Development: Theory and Practice (4)

Explorations of curriculum theory and processes of development with applications at different levels and in several subject areas. Prerequisite: 60 units.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Yaroslav Senyshyn
Online
OL02 Yaroslav Senyshyn
Online
OL03 Sessional
Online
EDUC 473W - Designs for Learning: Reading (4)

Offers theoretical and practical information about teaching reading in K-12 general education settings. Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403. Students with credit for EDUC 473 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

EDUC 475 - Designs for Learning: Elementary Mathematics (4)

Focuses on teaching elementary school mathematics. Students explore mathematical learning, their own mathematical thinking, and curriculum; and plan mathematical instruction within a consistent framework using appropriate instructional materials and methods. Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403. Students must successfully complete an SFU criminal records check. Quantitative.

EDUC 477 - Designs for Learning: Art (4)

Introduces students to the main ideas, skills, materials, resources, understandings and organizational concerns involved in teaching art in schools. Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403.

EDUC 478 - Designs for Learning: Music (4)

Designed for in-service and pre-service teachers who would like to acquire the skills that will allow them to teach music competently and creatively. They will learn basic conducting techniques, design their own curriculums and have an opportunity to prepare and teach their own lesson plans. Previous musical experience is welcome, but not required. Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403.

Plus additional upper division units in related topic areas to bring the total to 30 upper division units.