Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12)

Full-Time Faculty: Barbara Burns, Chair; Ali Ait Si Mhamed, Maria Fernanda Astiz, Nancy Bailey, Suzanne Borowicz, Betsy DelleBovi, Lorrei DiCamillo, Janet Ferguson, Kristin Finn, Roberto Gregorius, Fr. Paul Nochelski, S.J., Guangyu Tan, H. Jeanette Willert, Tonja Williams.


The Adolescence Education Department offers nine certification programs at the Adolescence Level (Grades 7-12).

The professional sequences in Adolescence Education give the prospective teacher a thorough foundation in the many facets of modern American education and a gradually increasing exposure to the realities of the classroom. A broad range of field experiences, from observation and tutoring to a full semester of student teaching, is an essential part of the curriculum. Each program also includes an integrated sequence of subject-area courses offered by one or more of the academic departments at the college.

For more information on the Adolescence Education programs at Canisius, please click here.

Student Learning Goals for Adolescence Education

Knowledge
  • Candidates complete high quality academic programs in compliance with New York State and professional standards with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to be successful professionals.
  • Candidates integrate theory, research, and practice in coursework and practicum settings
Service
  • Candidates interact effectively with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.  
  • Candidates, faculty, staff and administrators model cura personalis and foster an environment that educates and develops the   mind, body and spirit of each individual.  
  • Candidates team and lead through service in order to better understand the complexities of our educational, political, and social environment and thus be better prepared to advocate for social justice
Leadership/Professionalism
  • Candidates become reflective practitioners able to critically question the ends, means and contexts of teaching and learning
Certification Requirements
  1. To obtain initial teacher certification, candidates must pass the examinations required by the New York State Education Department. These include the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), and the appropriate Content Specialty Tests (CST). The LAST should be taken in the sophomore year or early in the junior year and the ATS-W and the CST(s) in the senior year.

  2. Candidates must be cleared by the New York State Education Department through a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check.

  3. Candidates in teacher certification programs are required to take three credits of foreign language to meet New York State certification regulations. Canisius College accepts high school foreign language study for the foreign language proficiency requirement for those candidates successfully completing the appropriate Regents Exam with a grade of 85% or higher. For students who graduated from high schools outside New York state, three or more full year courses in a foreign language with grades of ‘B’ or higher are acceptable for the foreign language proficiency. Your proficiency will be evaluated during freshman orientation by the Director of Advisement. Candidates may also demonstrate the foreign language proficiency requirement by passing the appropriate CLEP test. Candidates that do not meet the foreign language proficiency through high school study are required to take a three credit foreign language course at the college level. Candidates that have no prior high school foreign language experience, should register for a 103 level foreign language course. Candidates that have prior high school foreign language experience, should register for a 115 level foreign language course.

  4. Academic Criteria for Endorsement and Completion of Program
    • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    • Grade of ‘C’ or higher in content and pedagogical courses
    • Satisfactory performance in field placements
    • Successful portfolio review
Please see the School of Education page for information about transition points in the programs and portfolio requirements.

Adolescence Education Curriculum:

1. Core Requirements
Students in all majors are expected to fulfill Core requirements. See pages 38-40 of this catalog for the Core Curriculum requirements. Please go to /core_curriculum/mission.asp for complete information about the Core Curriculum.

2. Major Requirements
EDS 101 Human Growth and Social Development: Adolescence
EDU 122 Technology in Education
EDS 223 Foundations of Literacy
EDS 224 Teaching Literacy in Grades 7-12
EDU 250 Foundations of Education
EDU 341 Inclusive Strategies
EDS 360 Evaluation and Teaching Strategies
EDS 390 Cognition, Learning, and Assessment: Adolescence
EDS 402 - 406 Methods of Teaching (Content Area): Adolescence
EDS 432 - 436 Applied Methods of Teaching (Content Area)
EDS 450 Student Teaching Seminar
EDU 451 Child Abuse Seminar
EDU 452 Prevention of School Violence Workshop
EDS 470 Student Teaching

3. Free Electives
Courses/credits in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours.

4. Concentration Requirements (Areas of Certification)

Biology Grades 7-12
BIO 101 and Lab - Intro. to Cellular/Subcell. Biology 4 credits
BIO 102 and Lab - Organismal Biology 4 credits
BIO 201 and Lab - Evolution, Ecology, and Population Biology 4 credits
BIO 203 Cellular Biochemistry 3 credits
BIO 352 Junior Seminar 1 credit
BIO 451 Senior Seminar 1 credit
6 courses (three courses) plus labs must come from any 3 of 4 tracks:
Animal Biology (BIO 313, 315, 340, 365, 366, 410, 460);
Biological Diversity (BIO 305, 307, 320, 303,335);
Cellular Biology (BIO 418, 419, 425, 426, 435, 445, 455);
Genetics/Molecular Biology (BIO 304, 408, 432, 450).

The remaining three biology electives may come from within these tracks, or from other electives in biology, and at least one must include a lab. A student enrolled in 3 semesters of BIO 300 would fulfill this last lab requirement.
22 credits
CHEM 111, CHEM 111 Lab – General Chemistry I 4 credits
CHEM 112, CHEM 112 Lab – General Chemistry II 4 credits
CHM 227, CHM 227 Lab – Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 228, CHM 228 Lab – Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
PHY 201, PHY 201 Lab – General Physics I 4 credits
PHY 202, PHY 202 Lab – General Physics II 4 credits

Chemistry (Grade 7-12)
BIO 101 and Lab - Intro. to Cellular/Subcell. Biology 4 credits
BIO 102 and Lab - Organismal Biology 4 credits
CHEM 111, CHEM 111 Lab – General Chemistry I 4 credits
CHEM 112, CHEM 112 Lab – General Chemistry II 4 credits
PHY 201, PHY 201 Lab – General Physics I 4 credits
PHY 202, PHY 202 Lab – General Physics II 4 credits
CHM 227, CHM 227 Lab – Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 228, CHM 228 Lab – Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHM 230 Analytical Chemistry 4 credits
CHM 301 & Lab Classical Physical Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 302 & Lab Intro. to Biochemistry 4 credits
CHM 381 Chemistry Seminar 1 credit
CHM 444 Inorganic Chemistry 3 credits
Select One of the Following:  3-4 credits
CHM 302 Physical Chemistry II & Lab (4 credits)
CHM 334 Spectrometric Analysis & Lab (4 credits)
CHM 401 Modern Synthetic Methods & Lab (4 credits)
CHM 430 Analytical Chemistry II & Lab (4 credits)
CHM 450 Research in Chemistry (3 credits)

Dual Major English Language Arts and English (Grades 7-12)
ENG 300 Introduction to English Studies      3 credits
ENG 311 Women Writers 3 credits
British Literature (300/400): Two courses from 2 of 4 hitorical periods (6 credits):
    I. Medieval - Early 17th Century
    II. Restoration - 18th Century
    III. 19th Century
    IV. 20th Century
3 credits
Native American Literature or African American Literature 3 credits
American Literature: (300/400) Choose from I or II
    I. Pre-Civil War Period
    II. Post-Civil War Period
3 credits
ENG 322 OR 323 Shakespeare 3 credits
EDS 370 Teaching Young Adolescent Literature 3 credits
ENG 375 Special Topics in Literary Criticism 3 credits
ENG 395 The Journey in Literature 3 credits
Writing: choose one:
    ENG 385 Persuasive Writing
    ENG 394 Creative Writing
    ENG 402 Creativity & Composition Theory
    EDU 410 Teaching Writing in the Schools
3 credits
EDU415 Grammar and Language Study for Teachers  3 credits
ENG 490 Senior Seminar (available in 2009) 3 credits

French Grades 7-12

FRC 115 Advanced Introductory I 3 credits
FRC 116 Advanced Introductory II 3 credits
FRC 215 Intermediate I 3 credits
FRC 216 Intermediate II 3 credits
FRC 323 Advanced Conversation I 3 credits
FRC 324 Advanced Conversation II 3 credits
FRC 331 Substance & Style I 3 credits
FRC 332 Substance & Style II 3 credits
FRC Electives: Four Courses 12 credits

German Grades 7-12
GER 103 Advanced Introductory I 3 credits
GER 104 Advanced Introductory II 3 credits
GER 215 Intermediate I 3 credits
GER 216 Intermediate II 3 credits
GER 323 Advanced Conversation I 3 credits
GER 324 Advanced Conversation II 3 credits
GER 331 Substance & Style I 3 credits
GER 332 Substance & Style II 3 credits
GER Electives: Four Courses 12 credits

Math Grades 7-12
MAT 111 Calculus I 4 credits
MAT 112 Calculus II 4 credits
MAT 211 Calculus III 4 credits
MAT 219 Linear Algebra 4 credits
MAT 222 Differential Equations 4 credits
MAT 230 Bridge to Abstract Math 4 credits
MAT 301 History of Mathematics 3 credits
MAT 311 Abstract Algebra I 4 credits
MAT 331 Intro to Modern Geometry 3 credits
MAT 351 Probability and Statistics 3 credits
CSC 110 or 111 Intro to Computing/Programming OR
BIF 101, CSC 108, CSC 109
3-4 credits
MAT Elective 3-4 credits

Physics Grades 7-12
PHY 129 or PHY 130 Intro. to Astronomy or Geology 3 credits
PHY 223 & Lab – General Physics I for PHY Majors 4 credits
PHY 224 & Lab – General Physics II for PHY Majors 4 credits
PHY 225 & Lab General Physics III 4 credits
PHY 226 Basic Electronics 4 credits
PHY 330 Electricity and Magnetism I 3 credits
PHY 332 Statistics and Thermal Physics 3 credits
PHY 350 Advanced Laboratory 1 credits
PHY 443 Classical Mechanics 3 credits
PHY 449 Nuclear Physics Lab 1 credits
CHEM 111 & Lab - General Chemistry I 4 credits
CHEM 112 & Lab - General Chemistry II 4 credits
MAT 112 Calculus II 4 credits
MAT 211 Calculus III 4 credits
MAT 222 Differential Equations 4 credits

Social Studies and History Dual Major Grades 7-12
HIS 123 History of the US (Colonial – 1877) 3 credits
HIS 124 History of the US (1877 – Present) 3 credits
HIS 107 History of Modern Europe to 1815 3 credits
HIS 108 History of Modern Europe since 1815 3 credits
History of Asia or Latin America (110 or 132) 3 credits
History Elective at the 200 level (History of Asia, Africa,
Latin America, or Middle East strongly encouraged)
3 credits
History Elective at the 200 level (History of Asia, Africa,
Latin America, or Middle East strongly encouraged)
3 credits
HIS 300 Historical Geography 3 credits
HIS 382 New York State History 3 credits
History Elective at the 300 level 3 credits
History Elective at the 300 level 3 credits
ANT 122 Sociocultural Anthropology 3 credits
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology 3 credits
ECO 101 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 credits
ECO 102 Principles of Microeconomics 3 credits
PSC 103 or PSC 104 Constitutional Foundations of American
Government or American Political Process
3 credits
PSC 140 International Relations OR
PSC 150 Government & Politics
3 credits
Minimum one course in each history area must be 200 level or higher 3 credits

Spanish Grades 7-12:
SPA 115 Advanced Introductory I 3 credits
SPA 116 Advanced Introductory II 3 credits
SPA 215 Intermediate I 3 credits
SPA 216 Intermediate II 3 credits
SPA 323 Advanced Conversation I 3 credits
SPA 324 Advanced Conversation II 3 credits
SPA 331 Substance & Style I 3 credits
SPA 332 Substance & Style II 3 credits
SPA Electives: Four Courses 12 credits

Middle Childhood Extension
Candidates wishing to obtain an extension to teach grades 5-6 in their area of concentration must take EMC 352 and EMC 391 in addition to the courses listed above.

COURSES 2009–2011

EDS 101 Human Growth and Social Development 3 credits
Introduces human developmental processes and variations in the middle and high school years: effects of culture, heritage, socioeconomic level, health and environment on student performance. Fall/Spring

EDS 223 Foundations of Adolescent Literacy   3 credits
Focuses on three strands of literacy teaching for adolescent students: strategies for developing reading and writing skills in all secondary content areas; methods for reading and writing in Inquiry projects; pedagogical practices for integrating critical literacy in all secondary classrooms. Fall/Spring

EDS 224 Adolescent Literacy in a New Literacies World     3 credits
This course addresses the multiple literacies that adolescents use to make meaning in the world. The focus is on the integration, implementation and assessment of New Literacies in the content areas. Requires 20 hours of field placement. Fall/Spring

EDS 360 Evaluation and Teaching Strategies    3 credits
Addresses instructional planning, curriculum development, formal and informal assessment methods and reflecting on one’s own teaching practice. Highlights instruction modifications and various resources to enhance teaching. Requires 30 hours of field placement. Fall/Spring

EDS 390 Cognition, Learning and Assessment of Adolescents   3 credits
Focuses primarily upon seminal learning theories in order to examine the dynamic nature of knowledge and to attend to how changing epistemological positions can affect teaching and learning. Addresses learning processes and the roles that language, motivation, intelligence, creativity and other social processes play in student performance. Some emphasis upon instructional design, pedagogical decision making and assessment procedures and instruments. Fall/Spring

Choose the appropriate course from EDS 402, 403, 404, 405, 406:

EDS 402 Methods of Teaching English: Adolescence   3 credits
Combines theory and practice to encourage sound, research-based pedagogical strategies for the teaching of English Language Arts for middle and high school students. Focuses on available teaching materials and multiple approaches to teaching literature, writing, grammar and language development, as well as technology integration. Effective lesson planning and unit planning are emphasized. Prerequisite: EDS 360 Fall/Spring

EDS 403 Methods of Teaching Mathematics:  Adolescence   3 credits
Combines theory and practice to encourage sound, research-based pedagogical strategies for the teaching of Mathematics for middle and high school students. Focuses on available teaching materials and multiple approaches to teaching including technology applications. Effective lesson construction and unit planning are emphasized. Prerequisite EDS 360 Fall/Spring

EDS 404 Methods of Teaching Modern Languages: Adolescence    3 credits
Combines theory and practice to encourage sound, research-based pedagogical strategies for the teaching of foreign languages for middle and high school students. Focuses on available teaching materials and multiple approaches to teaching the grammar, literature and culture of French-, German-, Spanish- speaking countries, as well as technology integration. Effective lesson planning and unit planning are emphasized. Prerequisite: EDS 360 Fall/Spring

EDS 405 Methods of Teaching Science: Adolescence    3 credits
This course focuses on developing a rich intellectual life through study, reflection and practice. Students will have discussions on Philosophy of Science, the philosophy of individual science disciplines and pertinent Education Psychology theories as applied to science teaching. Current research-based science teaching techniques will be emphasized. Students will write reflection papers and use these theories and principles in classroom exercises and presentations. Requires a working knowledge of at least one science discipline. Prerequisite: EDS 360 Fall/Spring

EDS 406 Methods of Teaching Social Studies: Adolescence  3 credits
This course addresses the objectives, methods, curricula, materials and assessment necessary for teaching social studies at the secondary level. Students will examine topics such as teaching for democratic citizenship, teaching for higher-order thinking, authentic instruction and assessment, technology in the social studies classroom and multicultural curriculum. This course models various instructional strategies and includes practical assignments and experiences for students. Prerequisite: EDS 360 Fall/Spring

EDS 432 Applied Methods of Teaching English: Adolescence    3 credits
Includes practica and seminars that focus on professional reflection and topics related to classroom management, increasing famiy involvement, teaching to higher standards and assessment at the adolescent level. Requires 50 hours of field experience. Prerequisite: EDS 402 Fall/Spring

EDS 433 Applied Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Adolescence  3 credits
Includes practica and seminars that focus on professional reflection and topics related to classroom management, icreasing family involvement, teaching to higher standards and assessment at the adolescence level. Requires 50 hours of field experience. Prerequisite: EDS 403 Fall/Spring

EDS 434 Applied Methods of Teaching Modern Languages: Adolescence   3 credits
Includes practica and seminars that focus on professional reflection and topics related to classroom management, increasing family involvement, teaching to higher standards and assessment at the adolescence level. Requires 50 hours of field experience. Prerequisite: EDS 404 Fall/Spring

EDS 435 Applied Methods of Teaching Science: Adolescence   3 credits
Includes practica and seminars that focus on professional reflection and topics related to classroom management, increasing family involvement, teaching to higher standards and assessment at the adolescence level. Requires 50 hours of field experience. Prerequisite: EDS 405 Fall/Spring

EDS 436 Applied Methods of Teaching Social Studies     3 credits
Includes practica and seminars that focus on professional reflection and topics related to classroom management, increasing family involvement, teaching to higher standards and assessment at the adolescence level. Requires 50 hours of field experience. Prerequisite: EDS 406  Fall/Spring

EDS 450 Student Teaching Seminar     0 credits
This seminar prepares student teachers for the interview and job search process, allows student teachers a structured time to discuss and analyze their student teaching experiences with their peers and the instructor, and provides the mandatory trainings in Detection and Reporting of Child Abuse and the Prevention of School Violence needed for New York State Certification. Special topics of seminars commonly include classroom management, professional development opportunities, and what to expect in the first year of teaching. The seminar meets 6 times during the student teaching semester. Co-requisites: EDU 451, EDU 452, EDS 470. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in their concentration as well as in the major.

EDS 470 Supervised Student Teaching     12 credits
Highlights knowledge, skills and dispositions of professional educators. Two full-time 7-week placements in adolescent classrooms require candidates to become the instructional leader under the supervision of cooperating teachers and college faculty. Prerequisites: Overall G.P.A. of 2.50 to date: “C” in each required subject area course (modern language majors must also pass proficiency examination); “C” in each required Education course; interview; EDS 450. Some schools may require certain health tests. Fall/Spring

EDU 122 Technology in Education  3 credits
Explores applications of technology in education. Emphasizes evaluation and selection of software, high and low-tech devices, distance learning and state of the art technologies that impact teaching. Fall/Spring

EDU 250 Foundations of Education  3 credits
Addresses social, philosophical, legal, historical, organizational, theoretical perspectives on education, including multicultural perspectives. Highlights rights and responsibilities of teachers, students and others involved in education. Fall/Spring

SPE 341 Inclusive Strategies   3 credits
Highlights best practices in general education for students with disabilities. Illustrates current developments in special education. Emphasizes collaboration to meet the diverse needs of learners. Fall/Spring

EDU 451 Child Abuse Workshop  0 credits
Mandatory training by NY State Education Department for teacher certification. Occurs during the student teaching seminar. Fall/Spring

EDU 452 Prevention of School Violence Workshop     0 credits
Mandatory training by NY State Education Department for teacher certification. Occurs during the student teaching seminar. Fall/Spring

EMC 352 Human Growth and Social Development: Middle Childhood  3 credits
Major concepts, principles, theories and research related to the intellectual, emotional, physical, social and moral development of young adolescents. Fall/Spring

EMC 391 Cognition, Learning, Assessment and Diagnostic Teaching: Middle Childhood 3 credits
Concepts, standards and research related to middle level curriculum development stressing the importance of a curriculum that is relevant, challenging, integrative and exploratory. Interdisciplinary middle level curriculum standards and models will be introduced in addition to assessment strategies that promote the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of all young adolescents. Fall/Spring