Each educational program offered by the college leads to a bachelor’s degree and the Ministry of Education teaching certification. Students must complete overall credits not less than 135 hours for the Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Programs offered for the Bachelor of Education include Early Childhood Education, Primary Education with emphases in Language Arts & Social Studies, and in Math and Science; Secondary Education with emphases in Mathematics and in English. All the programs offer candidates the opportunity to experience course work in pedagogy and in the content areas.

The College of Education strives to be a leader locally and globally by nurturing a milieu of equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Vision

Our vision is to transform education by engaging in continuous learning necessary for a rapidly advancing society by identifying and addressing critical issues relevant to the education of diverse people. Emphasis is placed on using technology to support and enhance learning opportunities.

Mission

Our mission is to train men and women who will become intellectually equipped, socially aware and ethically enlightened to foster innovation and collaboration through teaching and learning.

Core values

Excellence                                                              Diversity

Technology                                                            Academic Freedom

Innovation and collaboration                       Equity

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DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Courses for Degree in Early Childhood Education Total Credits - 135

1. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT TOTAL CREDITS HOURS 47

2. COLLEGE REQUIREMENT (ALL EDUCATION STUDENTS) TOTAL

CREDITS HOURS 18

3. CORE REQUIREMENT TOTAL CREDITS HOURS 43

AME UNIVERSITY AMENDED CATALOG 2018-2023

4. ELECTIVES (Choose any one course) TOTAL CREDITS HOURS 9

• Compulsory Elective

5. MINOR REQUIREMENT TOTAL CREDITS HOURS 18

AME UNIVERSITY AMENDED CATALOG 2018-2023

AME UNIVERSITY AMENDED CATALOG 2018-2023

COURSE DESCRIPTION - EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

EDUC 201                  Educational Psychology                                  3 Credits

This course examines the theoretical and applied aspects of learning, motivation, human development, personality, assessment, and evaluation in the educational setting. Content includes the study of learning theories as well as cognitive, emotional, and social learning processes that underlie education and human development to include affective processes and socialization. Emphasis is placed on developing skills to better understand learners to foster improved learning, influence and manage classroom learning, and recognize and consider individual differences.

ECDE 201. History & Philosophy of Early Childhood Education 3 Credits This course introduces the historical, theoretical, and developmental foundations for educating young children, with an emphasis on creating inclusive environments and curricula that are responsive to the needs of diverse children and their families. The course also exposes students to the Liberia Education Reform Act of 2011, with emphasis on early childhood education. Topics include historical influences, program types, guidance strategies, current trends and issues, and advocacy. It covers the full spectrum of early childhood education from birth through age eight. The course content is applicable to infant and toddler programs, preschool programs, kindergartens, and primary education. Students will analyze their personal philosophy of early childhood education and will frame this in the Context of their knowledge of history and contemporary policy.

ECDE 202 Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children 3 Credits Prerequisite: ECDE 201 & EDUC 201

This course is designed to introduce students to theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practices in early care and education. It examines the role of the early childhood educator, identification of best practices for environmental design, curriculum, and teaching strategies. The course explores teacher-child relationships, professional ethics,

AME UNIVERSITY AMENDED CATALOG 2018-2023

career pathways and professional standards. It is grounded in clear understanding of local cultural and historical contexts as well as knowledge of global developments in Early Childhood Education. Basic understanding of what educating young children is all about is important as these factors determine the quality of experiences that will be provided for them by teachers of young children.

ECDE 204.         Creative Activities for Young Children            3 Credits

This course prepares prospective teachers to plan and produce materials and games appropriate for children’s play and skills development in various subject areas. The course recognizes the importance of all areas of child development: Social/Emotional, Cognitive, Physical and Language. It is built on the principle of child development, which all children learn through active exploration of their environment, and therefore the environment plays a critical role in learning. The course involves a hands-on experience with a wide range of activities as well as discussions on methods of evaluation. It includes observing young children during creative activities, understanding and making proper accommodations and support, use of natural materials, cooking experiences, art display, and sewing, painting, etc.

EDUC 205                           Instructional Methods                            3 Credits

This course is designed to help students put instructional theory into practice. It will provide an integrated coverage of methods of classroom instruction, management and assessment and lesson planning. The mode of instruction of this course include practicum, lesson construction, in-class exercises and discussion. The course will prepare students in the art and science of teaching.

AME UNIVERSITY AMENDED CATALOG 2018-2023

EDUC 206                  Introduction to Library Science                 3 Credits

This course is an introduction to library science. It looks at the historical perspectives and development of libraries, types of libraries, and the library profession. Due to the emergence of new information technologies, the prevailing change of knowledge and the imperative needs of information, the students are provided with a general idea of the basic principles and knowledge of library and information science.

ECDE 206.         Child, Family, Community Engagement        3 Credits

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully with families and parent groups in individual, group, school and community settings. The course will focus on strengthening adult-child relationships and parent-School staff relationships in home, school, and community settings. An awareness of strategies in developing positive and supportive relationships with families of young children with special needs, including the philosophical basis for family participation, and strategies for working with socially, culturally, and linguistically diverse families will be included.

EDUC 209                          History of Liberian Education    3 Credits

This course emphasizes the historical foundation of the Liberian Educational system drawing from traditional and contemporary scholarship to examine current issues and diverse approaches to studying the effects of schooling on individuals and society. Comparing and contrasting the disciplines of Education in Liberia and Sub-Sahara Africa. Contributors to the Liberian Educational sector from 1822 to current (Freed Slaves, Poro and Sande societies, Liberian Educators).

ECDE 210                                   Child Development                    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ECDE 201

This course reviews child growth and development and individual differences in brain development, temperament and biology. Physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and language developmental sequences with special focus on the early years will be emphasized. Major theories

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of development will be reviewed. This course also covers issues related to Infant Mental Health and Reactive Attachment Disorder.

ECDE. 301                         Child Health Safety & Nutrition         3 Credits

Prerequisite: ECDE 204

This course provides an overview of the health, safety and nutritional needs of young children and early childhood practices to ensure the health and well-being of each child in a group setting. Content includes roles and responsibilities of adults in meeting children’s diverse needs, the promotion of healthy life style practices, understanding common childhood illnesses and injuries, meeting health, nutrition and safety standards, and planning nutritious meals that are appropriate for each child. Interrelationship of health, safety and nutrition. Promoting a healthy life style, Conditions affecting children’s health, Communicable and acute illnesses, Conditions affecting children’s health, Safety management, creating quality environments, Maltreatment of children, Nutrients that provide energy, promote growth of tissues, regulate body functions. Food safety. Infant feeding. Feeding toddlers and young children.

ECDE 302                           ICT IN THE EARLY YEARS                             1 Credits

This course is designed to introduce students to the information communication technology environment. The course explores the history of ICT in Early Childhood Education, the use of ICT to support child development, literacy development, mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills. It exposes and trains students on practical and relevant technological tools such as computers, smart phone, cameras, scanners, printer, high-tech digital equipment that develop and support the development of learning on an instructional basis.

EDUC 305                                  INCLUSIVE EDUCATION                    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ECDE 204

This course is designed to teach skills to students in providing inclusive and/or integrated learning environments for diversely abled children and youth. Environmental modifications including classroom and school are studied. Classroom modifications in curriculum, assessment, behavior management, and instructional methods are examined. Methods of establishing supportive systems among families, schools will be presented. The course is also planned to introduce students to characteristics, capabilities, and expectations of students with special needs, students who are at risk for learning problems, and gifted students, including diverse approach to evaluating strategies for quality learning.

ECDE 305                                   Emergent literacy                                 3 Credits

This course is designed to introduce students to the development of literacy and language skills in young children and facilitates language learning through phonological awareness, reading and comprehension. The course focuses emergent literacy development (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in young children and ways in which teachers can facilitate this development. It enhances knowledge and appreciation for books, as a pathway to the art of communication, verbally and nonverbally. This includes selecting, administering, and interpreting appropriate assessments, incorporating instructional strategies for diverse learners, differentiating instruction to support inclusive practices, and designing.

ECDE 306                           Language & Literacy Development  3 Credits

Prerequisite: ECDE 305

This course explores phonics instruction, approaches in phonics, phonological manipulation through sounds and letters and activities in vowels, consonant blends diagraphs and word building. The course helps students to understand how children learn language and strategies adults used in helping students. The course also provides hands-on activities that enable students to practicalize knowledge acquired in helping young children learn language. It further provides an environment that stimulate creativity through music, drama, play, dance, visual art painting and drawing.

AME UNIVERSITY AMENDED CATALOG 2018-2023

EDUC 306                          Educational Seminar                         1 Credit

This course provides opportunities and activities to prospective educators that engage them in being analytic and reflective upon their major and related disciplines; guide them in further considering their value commitments and how they relate to their chosen profession; apply critical and creative thinking in addressing ‘real-time’ professional issues and needs; and examine extant practices from multicultural perspectives. Candidates develop a professional teaching portfolio that reflects the standard of the various guiding professional organizations and the Higher Education Standards of Ministry of Education.

EDUC 308                  Educational Guidance & Counseling     3 Credits

This is a foundation course for students pursuing degree in education to explore trends in school Counseling and educational systems. The course examines professional and personal ethical and legal consideration related to the practice of school Counseling. Roles, functions, settings and professional identity as it relates to other professionals in the school will also be explored. It introduces theories, processes and needs assessments for academic, career, and personal/social development. This course will also help students understand relationship of school counseling to the academic mission of school. It will train students to write autobiographies to conduct studies of their own lives as learners, conduct surveys, articulate a vision of possibilities of education in Liberia and craft a personal philosophy of education and Guidance and Counseling.

EDUC 309                  Educational Statistics                                       3 Credits

This course provides an overview of basic statistical concepts and their application in educational research. The overall aim of the course is to equip students on how they can use basic statistics in educational research context and to enable them to appreciate the value of statistics in relation to educational research questions. Students will learn how to perform basic statistical analyses and how to interpret and present results. Topics will include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, a measure of association, probability theory, confidence interval and hypothesis testing. At the end of the course, students should be able to us SPSS, R and Excel to do data analysis.

ECDE 310                   Math & Science Methods                                  3 Credits