NSU 2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog

351 Nova Southeastern University • Undergraduate Student Catalog • 2014–2015 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ECN 4600 Law and Economics (3 credits) This course introduces students to the fundamentals of economic approach to law, focusing on the common law areas of torts, contracts, and property, as well as legal procedure, criminal law, and antitrust law. Among the important issues we will study throughout this course are: (i) how does the legal system shape economic incentives in ways that lead to socially optimal behavior? (ii) how does one measure the benefits and costs of changes in legal rules? (iii) what is the nature of private property in a market economy?, and (iv) what is the appropriate role of a legal system in settling private disputes? Upon completing this course, students should be able to understand the effects of the legal system on economic behavior and understand discussions involving law and economics. ECN 4910 Advanced Special Topics I (3 credits) Examines advanced topics in economics that are not included in regular course offerings. Specific content and prerequisites may vary. Students may re-enroll for special topics covering different content. ECN 4920 Advanced Special Topics II (3 credits) Examines advanced topics in economics that are not included in regular course offerings. Specific content and prerequisites may vary. Students may re-enroll for special topics covering different content. EDEC—Education EDEC 2405 Children with Special Needs (3 credits) This course provides an overview of disabilities and their impact on young children. Students examine the nature of disabilities and how they impact development during the early years. Legislation, history of programs and services available for children with special needs and their families are discussed. Prerequisite: None. EDEC 3320 Sociological Foundations of Early Childhood Education (3 credits) Students in this course will study sociological influences and issues-past, present, and future-that will enable early childhood professionals to assist young children and their families to meet the challenges of a pluralistic society in transition. This knowledge will assist students in the analysis of societal issues for making appropriate choices, adaptations, and modifications in their programs in order to provide developmentally appropriate programs and practices. This class is specifically designed to meet the sociological foundations requirement for students seeking certification in Prekindergarten/Primary Education, birth to age four or age three to grade three. In addition to class meetings, a minimum of 10 hours of observation and participation in a clinical setting is required. Prerequisites: COMP 1500, COMP 2000 or COMP 2020, MATH 1040, MATH 1050, MATH 1060 and PSYC 2370. EDEC 3350 Meeting the Special Needs of All Children (3 credits) This course combines classes with on site visits to exemplary community programs that concentrate on meeting the special needs of children from birth to eight years old. Student will visit five sites for structured observations of model programs and then they will participate in four-hour classes focusing on the curricular and administrative aspects of the site visited. Readings and information provided will be analyzed, and the students will consider the successes, challenges, and barriers of each model. They will explore how collaboration of services can work toward the goal of meeting the special needs of all children and their families. In addition, to class meetings, a minimum of 10 hours of observation and participation in a clinical setting is required. Prerequisites: COMP 1500, COMP 2000 or COMP 2020, MATH 1040, MATH 1050, MATH 1060 and PSYC 2370. EDEC 3420 Families of Children with Special Needs: Challenges and Opportunitie (3 credits) This course examines practices to support and engage families of young children with special needs. Students explore the diversity of issues and needs experienced by families of young children with disabilities and examine programs and services available in the community. Field experiences are integrated (10 hours). Prerequisite/s: ECA 203. EDEC 3520 Families in Early Childhood Programs: Challenges and Opportunities (3 credits) This course examines from the perspective of family systems and their role in the development of young children. Students explore the challenges faced by today’s families and identify collaboration and involvement practices to meet their needs. In addition to class attendance, a minimum of 10 hours of observation and participation in a clinical setting are required. Prerequisites: EDEC 3320, EECP 3330, EDEC 3350, and passing scores on the General Knowledge Test. EDEC 3530 Diagnosis, Assessment, and Evaluation of Young Children (3 credits) Students in this course will be introduced to a philosophic overview of the assessment process, including transdisciplinary assessment teams and provisions for appropriate information gathering techniques- formal and informal-which include the construction, selection, interpretation, and evaluation of diagnostic instruments. The role of technology in testing, record maintenance, and composition of IEP/IFPS will be discussed/modeled. In addition to class meetings, a minimum of 10 hours of observation and participation in a clinical setting is required. Prerequisite/s: EDEC 3320 or ECA 203.