Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies, BAEd

What Is the Study of Language, Literacy and Culture?

The Bachelor of Arts in Education: Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies major responds to the growing diversity in the state’s schools and supports the Woodring College of Education’s efforts to embrace diversity and promote social justice. The major focuses on research-based and experience-validated knowledge to help elementary school teachers reach all students. This includes increasing teacher candidates’ cultural competency and capacity to teach English language learners. Graduates receive WWU’s recommendation for a Residency Teaching Certificate with endorsements in Elementary Education, Reading, and English Language Learners (ELL) or Bilingual Education (BE).

Why Should I Consider this Major?

This program in elementary education is designed to provide a combination of theory, methods, and field experience. Prior to entering the program, undergraduates will complete most or all of their general university requirements (GURs). After completion of the GURs, it will usually take eight or nine quarters to graduation, given a course load of 15-17 credits. Post-baccalaureate students must have completed a major from the approved list (see below) or call (360) 650-3336 for further advisement.

How to Declare:

Admission to the Elementary Education Professional Program is required before a student may begin
taking courses in the Professional Sequence. Requirements for consideration of an application include:

  • Completion of at least 45 credits.
  • Cumulative overall, or last 45 credits, GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Satisfaction of the testing requirement: Pass the WEST-B
  • English composition course with a grade of B- or higher.

Experiences with children, strong interpersonal communication skills, and other skills helpful in teaching are
given special emphasis when an application to ELED is being evaluated. An essay is required as part of
the application. In some cases, an interview will be required in order to choose among a large number of
qualified candidates.

Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission, but does not guarantee admission.
For further information, visit Teacher Education Admissions, Miller Hall 214, 360-650-3313 or visit the
web site at www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss. See also: Elementary Education Professional Program Guide.
 

Coursework

Satisfactory completion of the professional Elementary Education Sequence and this major leads to an endorsement in Elementary Education and additional endorsements in both Reading and English Language Learners (ELL) with Bilingual Education as an option.

Requirements

  • ELED 456 - Literacy Assessment
  • ELED 486 - Literacy Difficulties in the K-12 Classroom
  • ELED 401 - Writing Instruction in the Elementary Classroom
  • ELED 405 - Books and Materials for Elementary Schools
  • TESL 404 - Understanding English Grammar for TESOL
  • TESL 405 - Methods for Teaching English Grammar
  • TESL 410 - Second Language Acquisition Theory for Tesol
  • TESL 420 - Methods and Materials for Basic Communication
  • Two from the following (or quarter abroad/cultural experience with advising)
    • AMST 202 - The American Indian Experience
    • AMST 203 - The Hispano/a-American Experience
    • AMST 204 - The African-American Experience
    • AMST 205 - The Asian-American Experience
    • AMST 314 - Contemporary Latino/A Issues
    • AMST 315 - Contemporary American Indian Issues
    • AMST 316 - Contemporary African American Issues
    • AMST 362 - Asian-American History
    • ELED 464 - Multicultural Education for Teachers
  • One of the following options:
    • TESL 432 - Seminar in TESOL and Bilingual Education
    • TESL 435 - Practicum in TESOL/Bilingual Education
    • OR
    • TESL 425 - Methods and Programming for the Bilingual Classroom AND
    • TESL 432 - Seminar in TESOL and Bilingual Education AND
    • TESL 435 - Practicum in TESOL/Bilingual Education

Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements

103-104 credits

Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the elementary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.

Professional Studies Core (25 credits)

  • EDUC 301 - Educational Psychology I: Development and
  • Individual Differences
  • EDUC 302 - Educational Psychology II: Motivation, Learning
  • and Assessment
  • EDUC 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
  • ELED 370 - Introduction to Teaching
  • I T 344 - Basic Instructional Technology Skills
  • I T 442 - Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Elementary)
  • SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student

Elementary Program—Methods, Curriculum Content, and Field Experiences (78-79 credits)

  • One course from:
    • ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
    • DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
    • MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
    • THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
  • One course from:
    • ART 380 - Art Educating the Child
    • DNC 433 - Creative Movement for Educators With Lab
    • MUS 361 - Music for Elementary Teachers
    • THTR 350 - Theatre for Youth
    • THTR 351 - Creativity Across the Curriculum
  • ELED 425 - Social Studies for the Elementary School
  • ELED 470 - Developing Teaching
  • ELED 471 - Documenting Teaching
  • ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators
  • ELED 481 - Literacy: Fluent Communicators
  • ELED 491 - September Experience
  • ELED 492 - Practicum: Experience in Literacy Methods
  • ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary
  • HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8
  • MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
  • MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
  • MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III
  • MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics
  • PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School
  • SCED 480 - Science Methods & Curriculum for the Elementary School
  • SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science

GURs:

The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.

QSR: MATH 381, MATH 382
BCGM: AMST 202, AMST 203, AMST 204, AMST 205, AMST 362
 

Sample Careers

  • Elementary Education Teacher

Department

Contact

Department Chair:

Joanne Carney
MH 301E
360-650-2163
Joanne.Carney@wwu.edu

Program Director:

Marsha Riddle Buly
MH 305B
360-650-7348

Undergraduate Advisor and Program Manager:

Ellen Kreider
MH 301D
(360) 650-7948
Ellen.Kreider@wwu.edu

Teacher Education Admissions

MH 150
360-650-3313
www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss