Course Descriptions
ExEd 644: Philosophy and Theory of Experiential Education: This seminar examines the writings of historical and current thinkers who have made contributions to the field of experiential education. The philosophical underpinnings of Plato and Dewey, as well as more current experiential education literature will be discussed and examined. This course uses a seminar approach whereby learners take an active role in the learning/teaching process.
ExEd 645: Selected Topics in Experiential Education (1-3 credits): Several courses have been offered under this course number on a temporary basis. Examples include Project-based Learning, Nature & Experience, Place-based Learning, and Brain-based Learning.
EXED 646: Research Methods in Experiential Education (3 credits): This course offers an introduction to research methods as well as tools for becoming a knowledgeable consumer of the research that exists in experiential education. Class members will be conducting secondary research that can be used toward the completion of a Capstone Project if desired. The course design will offer a combination of readings, individualized secondary research, presentations, and interactive learning exercises.
EXED 648: Controversial Issues in Experiential Education (3 credits): This course provides for critical examination of definitional and controversial issues in experiential education. Class members will construct pieces of their platform (position statements of beliefs and values) of experiential education. This course utilizes a combination of large and small group discussion, readings, point/counterpoint forums, and interactive exercises.
EXED 649: Experiential Learning and Educational Reform (3 credits): Current and historical school reform initiatives such as Lab Schools, EdVisions, The Big Picture Company, Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound and others will be investigated. Examples of how schools have implemented experiential learning throughout their curriculums will be provided. Learners will apply information by developing programs and or curriculums useful to their specific learning environments.
EXED 650: Teaching Methods in Experiential Learning (3 credits): This course provides a foundation of the theory and practices used in promoting experiential learning. Learners will investigate the experiential approaches of project-based learning, problem-based learning, place-based education, service learning, active learning, and other approaches. Learners will be involved in curriculum design and development of performance-based assessment tools in alignment with one or more teaching approaches.
EXED 651: Ethical Leadership for Experiential Educators (3 credits) (pending approval for Fall 2020): This course examines the complexities of ethical dimensions of leadership utilizing theoretical ethics, historical and contemporary ethical conceptual lenses, and case studies focused on leadership and moral dilemmas. Learners will analyze current ethical case studies, write papers analyzing current ethical dilemmas in their fields, and develop their own case studies. They will also read professional codes of ethics and develop their own personal codes of ethics. This course uses a seminar approach whereby learners take an active role in the learning/teaching process.
EXED 654: Guiding Reflection in Experiential Learning (3 credits) (pending approval for Fall 2020): This course examines key aspects of guiding reflective group processes including principles, techniques, best practices, and activities. Reflection is an integral part of the experiential learning cycle. Thus, this course dually focuses on enhancement of self-reflection as a needed attribute for effective experiential educators. The design of this course uses active learning, discussion of readings, and applied practice through participating in reflective individual and group exercises.
EXED 655: Readings in Experiential Education (3 credits) (pending approval for Fall 2020): This course offers opportunities to survey the past and current literature pertaining to experiential education and subsequently engage in meaningful philosophical and interpretive discourse. Comprehensive foundational readings about the philosophy, principles, and values of experiential education will be included as well as focused or thematic readings that may include topics such as environmental ethics, nature and spirituality, adventure and challenge, risk management, and controversial issues.
EXED 656: Facilitating Experiential Learning (3 credits) (pending approval for Fall 2020): This course explores strategies and approaches that are commonly used for facilitating experiential learning and are compatible with the principles and philosophies of experiential education. These include but are not limited to experiential learning cycles, challenge by choice principles, expeditionary learning pillars, group dynamics, adult learning theory, cooperative learning, Socratic questioning, and brain-based learning. Opportunities for practical applications of these strategies and approaches are provided.
Independent Learning Course Descriptions
EXED 603: Experience and Education (3 credits): An independent project-based course typically used to immerse students into a 45-hour direct experience upon which they will complete a project and reflect on their own personal growth and learning.
EXED 604: Development of Experiential Education (3 credits): An independent project-based course typically used by students to design and/or facilitate an extensive learning experience for others. Designing and facilitation combined should total 45 hours.
EXED 634: Practicum (1-6 credits): An independent learning course for pertinent practical experiences and professional development that will further the learning in students’ field or chosen specialization of study. This course can be repeated in the degree plan of study.
EXED 635: Internship (1-4 credits): An independent learning experience that typically entails working with a specific person or organization. This course can be repeated in the degree plan of study.
EXED 677: Individual Study (1-3 credits): An independent learning course typically used for independent research or projects into a particular topic, issue, or author. This course can be repeated in the degree plan of study.
EXED 688: Creative Project (1-3 credits): This independent course is used for completion of the Capstone Project, a requirement of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, in the form of a creative project such as a curriculum guide, program manual, college course design, training module, publication, or workshop. This may be designed as an independent course in consultation with the advisor, or is sometimes offered as a cohort class that meets regularly.
EXED 694: Alternate Plan Paper (1-3 credits): This independent course is used for completion of the Capstone Project, a requirement of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, in the form of a secondary research paper on a topic within the umbrella of Experiential Education or Educational Leadership.
EXED 695: Portfolio Development (1 credit): This independent course is required of all Experiential Education Master’s students. The intention of the Portfolio is to demonstrate accomplishments made throughout your Master’s program in professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for successfully leading, teaching, and facilitating in diverse educational settings. Advisors work with students throughout their degree plan to monitor progress on their portfolios, which are typically completed during a student’s graduation semester.
EXED 699: Thesis (3-6 credits) (pending approval for Fall 2020): This 3 - 6 variable credit graduate level course is utilized for the development and completion of the Thesis Capstone option for the Master of Science in Experiential Education program. Typically, after consultation with their advisor, students register for 3 credits of ExEd 699 for thesis proposal writing, followed in the next semester with 3 additional credits of ExEd 699 for data collection, analysis and writing of the final complete thesis. The student’s advisor serves as the thesis supervisor/chair and an additional 2 - 3 faculty members or professionals are invited to serve as committee members.
Undergraduate Course Description (taught by Graduate Assistant)
EXED 202: Introduction to Experiential Education, approved for Gen Ed Goal Area 11: Performance and Participation. (3 credits): This course introduces foundations of experiential education, an approach to learning that emphasizes direct or primary experiences connected through individual and group reflection and processing. Course topics may include, but are not limited to, project-based learning, service learning, adventure education, ethics in leadership, and wilderness/outdoor experience.
