[EDU 300] The Exceptional Individual

Introduction

In this course, students will be introduced to the field of Special Education and the exceptional individuals it serves. Students will cover the purpose of special education, the laws that govern special education, and the educational needs of exceptional students. Additionally, students will take a closer look at the field as it is today and where it is going in the future. Students will use their reading to gain knowledge and their discussions and assignments to gain further understanding. Students are encouraged to also bring in personal experiences to add another layer to this course.

Description

UW Colleges Catalog Course Description for EDU 300 - The Exceptional Individual - 3 credits. The purpose of this course is to educate and prepare students to understand and work with individuals with disabilities within schools by providing accurate information about disabilities and current best practices in education. Emphasis will be placed on understanding historical, legal, and philosophical frameworks; defining categories of disability; describing legal and ethical perspectives and how issues of accessibility in educational and social arenas affect people with disabilities; learning the role disability plays in the lives of families; becoming familiar with criteria for disabilities; and the examination of how the referral/placement processes can either discriminate against marginalized populations or facilitate inclusion. This course fulfills the UWC requirement for Social Sciences (SS).

Prerequisites: PSY 201 or PSY 202 (grade of C- or better or consent of instructor); PSY 360 recommended.

The Exceptional Individual, is an introductory course to the field of special education and the individuals considered "exceptional." We will take a look at the history, practices, advances, and challenges that make up the field of special education. We will mainly focus on individuals who are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA): mental retardation (called cognitive disabilities in some states), learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, autism, deafness and hard of hearing, visual impairments, physical disabilities and other health impairments, communication disorders, and low incidence disabilities, as well as children labeled gifted and talented. We will cover individuals from birth through age 21.

Proficiencies

Institutional proficiencies assigned to this course

Successful completion of this course will enhance students' ability to

• interpret and synthesize information and ideas;
• construct an argument in support of a conclusion;
• gather and assess information from printed sources, electronic sources, and observation;
• communicate clearly, precisely, and in a well-organized manner;
• demonstrate a large and varied vocabulary.

Department-specific proficiencies assigned to this course

The main objective of EDU 300 is for the student to develop an overall understanding of exceptional needs and special education. Upon completion of this course, students will

• define special education;
• be aware of legislation/parent and child rights;
• understand the process of special education;
• identify the importance of collaboration/teaming with other professionals;
• be familiar with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process;
• be familiar with early childhood special education programs;
• provide definitions, characteristics, prevalences, etiologies, assessment strategies, and intervention techniques for the multiple areas of special education;
• have knowledge of inclusion strategies for the exceptional individual into the least restrictive environment;
• be able to adapt classroom materials to meet the needs of students with special needs.

Requirements

The term project in this course requires students to to write a critical review of a movie that features a person with a disability as one of the major characters. Therefore, students will need access to a video rental service in order to complete this assignment.

Software

• Microsoft Word.

  The most current edition of MS Office (containing MS Word, Excel and other valuable programs) is available to University of Wisconsin students at discounted prices through the Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog.

About the Instructors

• Lisa Hood
  Lecturer, Psychology
  BS, University of Wisconsin-Stout
  MSE, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire