SPED 400:
Introduction to Special Education

Syllabus - Spring 2001

Instructor:	Tamarah M. Ashton, Ph.D.
Office:		ED2210
Office phone:	(818)677-4869
E-mail address:	tamarah.ashton@csun.edu
Office hours:	Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
		and Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Class Time:	Thursdays, 4:20 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Class Location:	SH 287, http://www.csun.edu/~ta4130/homepage.index.html


Class Schedule & Due Dates



Assignments
2-8-01


2-15-01


2-22-01


3-1-01


3-8-01


UPDATE!


Final Exam

This is due 5-17-01!


Class E-mail List



Course Description
Description and history of the field of Special Education; characteristics 
of communication, learning, physical, and severe disabilities and giftedness;
diverse populations; and related needs and educational services.  

Course Objectives
1. Knowledge of the historical development of the field of Special Education.
2. Understanding of legislative and judicial mandates, issues, and trends.
3. Understanding of the psychoeducational characteristics of individuals 
   with disabilities and their related needs.
4. Understanding of the role of parents in the education of students with 
   disabilities.
5. Understanding of the advocacy role of special educators.
6. Understanding of the intra- and interdisciplinary model of Special Education.
7. Understanding of career and vocational education for students with 
   disabilities.
8. Identification of agencies and professional associations seeking individuals 
   with disabilities.
9. Knowledge and use of professional literature and appropriate manuscript 
   style.
10.Understanding of the effect of language and culture on special education 
   assessment and services.
11.Understanding of the continuum of placement options, from inclusion to 
   institutionalization.
12.Knowledge of strategies used to implement inclusion and the research on 
   effectiveness.
13.Understanding of the inclusion responsibilities of special educators.
14.Commitment to continued professional growth.

Required Textbook
 
   Heward, W.L. (2000). Exceptional children: An introduction to 
special education (6th ed.). Prentice Hall.

Course reader: SpEd 400

Course Requirements
 
Online Activities:

Online assignments/activities will be required for each week the 
class works independently.  Due dates for these assignments 
will be listed in the directions on the class webpage.

Research Summaries (2):
Complete summaries of two research studies taken 
from current journals in Special Education published within the last five years.  
Each of the two studies must come from differently titled journals and be 
based on a different category of exceptionality.  A photocopy or URL must be 
submitted with the summary.  Each report must be typed and be one page to 
one and one half pages (double spaced) in length.  

WWW Project:
Search the World Wide Web (WWW) for disability-related websites.  Select 
five to review - each about a different area of exceptionality.  For each
site, list the following in an email document:

1. What was new for you about this website?

2. What new information did you learn from this website?

3. Were there useful link to other sites?  If so, what were they?

4. How did this information/experience benefit you?

5. Would you recommend this site?  If so, to whom?

6. What additionals or changes would you make to this site?

Creative Book Report:
Select a book on a particular disability.  This book should not be children's 
literature, but written for an adult audience.  After reading, develop a 
2-3 page report.  Include a synopsis of the book and any reactions, 
opinions, etc. that you developed while reading it. 

Examinations:

A midterm and final exam will be given.  

Attendance and Participation:

Active class participation is required. 

Grading
Each assignment will be worth 100 points. These points will be weighted 
according to the percentages given below. Grades will be based on the 
following factors:

Online Activities - 25%

Research Summaries  - 20%
	
WWW Project - 15%

Creative Book Report - 20%

Examinations - 10%

Attendance and Participation - 10%

Grading criteria are:

A	93.0 to 100%		C	72.0 to 77.9%
A-	90.0 to 92.9%		C-	70.0 to 71.9%
B+	88.0 to 89.9%		D+	68.0 to 69.9%
B	82.0 to 87.9%		D	62.0 to 67.9%
B-	80.0 to 81.0%		D-	60.0 to 61.9%
C+	78.0 to 79.9%		F	59.9 and below

A = Outstanding. A's are reserved for those students whose 
performance is truly outstanding.  Performance reflects an 
outstanding level of competency attainment--including critical 
analyses, information syntheses, and application of theory and 
research to practice. Projects and exams are comprehensive, 
thoughtful, well organized, and clearly written.

B = Very Good. Performance surpasses a basic level of 
competency attainment, understanding, and skill, and indicates 
an ability to integrate and apply information.

C = Satisfactory. Performance reflects a basic level of 
competency attainment, understanding, and skill.

D = Unsatisfactory. Performance meets expectations for a 
basic level of attainment for some competencies and understanding 
of some content.

F = Failing. Performance does not meet expectations for a 
basic level of competency attainment and understanding.