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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
C DD077.
Course Title (CB02)
Special Projects in Child Development
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course offers an in-depth exploration of a special topic, issue, or trend in the early childhood education field. It involves researching a topic of interest to the student. Research may include a review of the literature, interviews, and other fieldwork such as exploring community resources or investigating a common teaching practice for effectiveness. This course meets the variable needs of students, the early childhood industry, and the community, and responds to a current issue, technique, or discourse. (This course meets NAEYC Standard 4c, Understanding Content Knowledge in ECE, and Standard 5, Becoming a Professional; NBPTS Standards IX, Reflective Practice; and DEC-CEC Standard 9 Professional & Ethical Practice; ECE Competencies Professionalism.)
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Child Development/Early Childhood Education]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - CHILD DEVELOPMENT]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is a stand-alone course and is CSU transferable. This course is intended to provide an opportunity for students to research a topic, critique and analyze data to shape the culture, and apply learned knowledge to curriculum strategies and approaches to provide high-quality early childhood education services and experiences to all children. This course counts toward units required to obtain a California Child Development Permit.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
0.5
Maximum Credit Units
0.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours0.00.0
Laboratory Hours1.50.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
18.0
Total
18.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
0.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Consent of instructor and division dean and an approved Special Projects Contract is required.)

(Not open to students with credit in C D D077W, C D D077X. or C D D077Y.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Individual discussion sessions with student to discuss project of study

Assignments

  1. To be determined in consultation with instructor. See 3. and 4. of the Special Topics Contract.
  2. Examples of assignments such as written report of the project which will include the project findings and conclusions, written reflection paper of the project experience, development of curriculum, policy manuals and staff in-service training.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Written report of the project findings and conclusions based on a rubric.
  2. A written reflection paper of the project experience emphasizing how the student achieved early childhood competencies and standards based on a rubric.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • None

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Mujherji, P. & Albon, D.Research Methods in Early Childhood‎ SAGE Publications Ltd2018978-1526423719
Glenda, Macnaughton, Rolfe, S., Blatchford, S.Doing early childhood researchOpen University Press2010978-0335242627

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Complete project objectives/requirements as determined in 3, 4, and 5 of the Special Projects Contract.
  • Prepare a project proposal
  • Apply research strategies and techniques to complete a project of study
  • Analyze and report the project findings

CSLOs

  • Apply research strategies and techniques to complete a proposed project of study.

Outline

  1. Complete project objectives/requirements as determined in 3, 4, and 5 of the Special Projects Contract.
    1. Research literature in journals, articles, websites as sources for topic ideas
    2. Focus on a current topic of relevance in early childhood education, early childhood mental health, early intervention, early childhood special education,or elementary education
    3. Produce a comprehensive report that responds to the project objectives/requirements including a bibliography or reference list.
  2. Prepare a project proposal
    1. Review of Guidelines for writing a professional document such as APA style and guidelines
    2. Important components of a project proposal such as a proposal summary, and resource list or bibliography
  3. Apply research strategies and techniques to complete a project of study
    1. Methods
      1. The Scientific method
      2. Child Development observational methodology overview
      3. Naturalistic observation technique
      4. Running records
      5. Interviews
      6. Action research
      7. Surveys
    2. Determine the best strategy and techniques in order to successfully complete the project of study
  4. Analyze and report the project findings
    1. Methods for documenting and organizing data for ease of use
    2. Examine the findings and draw conclusions
    3. Make a determination of who and how to share the results
    4. Reflect on the achievement of competencies and standards
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