Graduate Courses

West African Dance is an open level dance class that explores traditional songs, dances, and rhythms from various cultures in the region, and reflects its diversity of styles. This course will also explore the cultural continuum evident in dances/rhythms that have migrated from West Africa to other parts of the world.

This module explores the professional responsibilities of teaching in connection with students, colleagues, families, & the school community. Topics include the social responsibilities of teachers, such as anti-bullying education, substance abuse prevention, & HIV/AIDS education; child abuse recognition & reporting; & school violence prevention. Students will gain skills in activating protective resources, advocating for diverse students & their families, working with colleagues & community partners, & supporting empowerment & resilience in the classroom.

This module addresses the legal requirements and educational rights of students with disabilities and their families. It explores the role and responsibilities of teachers tasked with providing special education and related services to students with disabilities, primarily through individualized education programs (IEP) that are mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This module explores how to collaborate with colleagues to meet the needs of students with disabilities and adhere to the guiding principles of IDEA.

Past and present theories about the role of the teacher in the educative process. Study of the theories of Socrates- Plato- Augustine- Rousseau- Dewey- Locke- Rogers- and others. How these theories arose and their place in the historical milieu. The aim of the course is to help students clarify and test their own assumptions and theories about what teachers are for through critical encounters with the ideas of some of the leading educational theorists in the history of education.

Module introduces fundamentals of curriculum planning & development. Focus will be on creating content-rich curricula that provide culturally relevant learning experiences for students & enable them to connect meaningfully to other content areas & experiences outside the classroom. Students will gain valuable skills in developing curricula that meet content area standards while addressing students’ varied learning needs; providing individualized instruction (including use of IEPs in the classroom); & strategies for authentic assessment.

Course focuses on five overlapping elements: (1) exploring what “English” is in the first quarter of the 21st century ; (2) gaining experience & insight into teaching rich texts; (3) refining research project plans; (4) acquiring a basic toolkit for teaching writing, especially to students who struggle with writing; (5) gaining expertise in teaching texts to students who are diverse in their literacy backgrounds & skills.

This course serves as an introduction to special education. In this module, interns
learn foundational content on serving students with IEP’s using inclusive practices. Interns learn relevant special education policy, models of inclusive practices, aligning students’ individualized needs with grade-level content, and how to read and write IEP’s.

Module focuses on various approaches to mathematics teaching & learning & culminates in developing & implementing a unit of study that is meaningful, culturally relevant, & responds to the needs & abilities of diverse learners. Topics include history of mathematics pedagogy, approaches to teaching mathematics, funds of knowledge theory, & models that facilitate mathematical understanding. Students will be encouraged to examine their beliefs about math teaching & gain skills for implementing effective teaching practices for mathematics in grades 7-12.

Module focuses on the fundamentals of developing science curriculum that is meaningful, culturally relevant, & responds to the needs & ability levels of diverse learners. Students will study the history of science & science pedagogy, individualization of curriculum for diverse learners, using models to teach scientific concepts, & teaching science using informal and community resources. Emphasis will be placed on use of scientific models & interactive activities to provoke inquiry-based learning.

Course focuses on key pedagogical methods for teaching secondary subject areas, (English, math, science, and social studies). Students will learn to design and deliver lesson plans that are content rich, culturally relevant, and inquiry-based. Topics include methods for differentiating instruction for all learners especially students with disabilities and English language learners.

One common trait of experimental modernist and contemporary art is the pressure it exerts on conventional ideas about what art is and what it can do. This research seminar will address some of the many forms this redefinition has taken- combining art historical methods with approaches drawn from critical aesthetics and curatorial theory. Whenever possible- we will meet directly with artists- conduct site visits- and utilize NYU's extensive archives.

This module focuses on developing social studies curriculum that is meaningful, culturally relevant, & responds to the needs & abilities of diverse learners. Topics include key debates in US history, theories of learning & instruction, techniques for stimulating questioning & discussion, & employing assessment in instruction. Students will learn how to develop content-rich lessons that challenge & engage all learners in the classroom while building on learners’ previously acquired skills, abilities, & knowledge in social studies.

This module introduces students to the legal requirements & educational rights of students with disabilities & includes strategies for working with students with special needs, including the use of IEPs (individualized education plans). Topics include collaboration with colleagues & families; disability as part of the continuum of human development; models of disability; Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) models of special education; & educating students with disabilities during the transition to adulthood.

Where we teach and learn influences how we function and who we engage in the process. This module focuses on various contexts of learning and schooling in urban environments, including classrooms (general, inclusive, and separate); historical contexts; federal, state and local policies that shape learning contexts, learning, and learners. Students will be able to identify models of positive classroom environments, support high expectations of all students, collaborate with families and other professionals, and create caring classrooms for diverse learners.

Knowing the individuals in our classrooms, their families, & communities are essential starting points of teaching. Building relationships with learners, learning from them & their experiences, & empowering these in the classroom establishes mutual respect & social contingencies where all class members are contribute to social, emotional, & intellectual growth. Topics include: learner identities, unpacking teacher privilege, intersections of diversity, building on family/community resources, & responding to diversity through individualization.

Knowing the individuals in our classrooms, their families, and communities is an
essential starting point of teaching along with reflecting on our own schooling, learning, and identity. We begin our program in inclusive childhood education with exploring who are our learners and who are we as teachers and learners. We explore issues of identity and intersectionality, child development, the sociopolitical context of schooling, historical contexts of education, working with families, and teaching in and with communities.

Open to departmental graduate students majoring in music. Private lessons in wind instruments. All styles & forms supplemented by extra assignments. Jury examination required at end of semester. Required attendance at winds recitals & master classes.

Basic principles of winemaking, fermentation, tasting analysis, and grape/grain variety study with a practical overview of restaurant and retail beverage programming. Considers cultural, political, legal, and climate-related factors.

Surveys mental health issues relevant to women. Topics include diagnostic issues for women, feminist theory, & therapy; high prevalence disorders of women, e.g., phobias, eating disorders, results of violence against women, stress.

Instrumental Performance juries assess each student’s growth in instrumental techniques including intonation, rhythm, tone production, articulation, dynamics, and musicality. Juries take place at a designated time at the end of the semester and are evaluated by each student’s program director and any additional invited faculty. Jury repertoire is selected in conversation with each student’s private teacher, and
each student studies their jury repertoire in their private lessons.