COMS 606
Seminar in Pedagogy and Instruction
1. Catalog Entry
COMS 606
Seminar in Pedagogy and Instruction
Credit hours (3)
This course is designed for prospective and current instructors in institutions of higher education. Because it is taught in the School of Communication, most examples will be from communication and mass communication, although the methods discussed are transferable to many other disciplines. It will focus on developing an understanding of the role of the college instructor, as well as the challenges facing that instructor within the broader college or university environment.
2. Detailed Description of Course
The course focus is on developing an understanding of the role of the college instructor, as well as the challenges facing that instructor within the broader college or university environment.
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course is conducted as a hybrid class. The instructor and students will meet both as a seminar in the classroom for some topics, generally those that are the most related to activities within the classroom, and online in an asynchronous discussion format for others. In addition there will be in-class guest participants (not lecturers) as well as practical teaching exercises.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
GOAL: Students completing this course will be able to successfully teach a 100 or
200-level college course.
OBJECTIVES: Students completing this course will learn how to:
• Construct a syllabus
• Facilitate and participate in online discussions
• Critically analyze reading assignments
• Create and present a teaching model on a topic
• In a written book review and class discussion, critique the usefulness of a book
about teaching, setting forth both the positives and the negatives of the author’s
points
• Explain and modify teaching style to match different student learning styles
• Construct a teaching philosophy
5. Assessment Measures
Assessment measures may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Quality of class participation and contribution to discussion
• Fulfilling required number and length of primary and secondary online postings
• Teaching Philosophy
• Teaching Observation and Professor Interview
• Two Teaching Modules and Critiques of others
• Book Review (book approved prior to reading by instructor)
6. Other Course Information
None
7. Review and Approval
March 17, 2014