Course Types and Descriptions

COURSE TYPES AND DESCRIPTIONS

February 2005 (Revised)

LEC B Lecture

Formal presentation, primarily one way communication of information by one individual.

LAB B Laboratory

Instructing, preparing and supervising student investigations; designed to enhance students= concept attainment, problem solving and critical thinking

LLB B Combined lecture and lab

RCT B Recitation

Students engaged in discussions with faculty

FLD B Field Experience

Off-campus educational programs carried out under auspices of an educational institution but not directly supervised by it. Examples include (1) cross-cultural experiences, (2) professional training, (3) career exploration, (4) cooperative work experience, (5) service-learning experiences, (6) social-political action, (7) personal growth and development programs, and (8) field research.

Extended field experiences carried out under the direction of a training institution and scheduled as the culminating part of a professional program; it provides the trainee with on-the-job training under the tutelage of an experienced practitioner and/or a university supervisor.

SEM B Seminar

Brings together a group of pupils to discuss topics of interest under the direction of a teacher or discussion leader. Often used interchangeably with workshop, institute, or study group. Requires the instructor to play less of a leadership role, with responsibility for discussion and analysis vested in students with the teacher functioning as a resource person.

STU B Studio

IND B Independent Study

A self-directed approach to the acquisition of knowledge and/or competence in which a student plans and carries out learning activities on his/her own, carried out under the guidance of an instructor. Student works independently with only minimal faculty direction.

PRL B Private Lesson

Students work one to one with instructor.

RES B Research

Independent investigation

DSR B Dissertation

Preparation of a scholarly paper, completed by a candidate for the doctoral degree. The dissertation is (1) prepared under the direction of a faculty committee; (2) requires in-depth knowledge of a particular subject; (3) is based on independent research; and (4) reflects a high level of scholarship and knowledge of research methodology.

MST B Masters Thesis

Preparation of a scholarly paper, completed by a candidate for the master's degree. The thesis, like the dissertation, is (1) prepared under the direction of a faculty committee; (2) requires in-depth knowledge of a particular subject; (3) is based on independent research; and (4) reflects a high level of scholarship and knowledge of research methodology.

CLN B Clinic

WSP B Workshop

Mode of instruction that brings together individuals with a common education concern, interest, or problem to work and learn together, in a specific place, for a short period. Workshops emphasize skill development as opposed to theory development. Workshops are shorter than regular courses, oriented to practical use, solution oriented, and may or may not carry academic credit. See also Seminar, above.

CLR B Clerkship

Learning by practical experience under direct supervision of clinical faculty. May include lecture, laboratory, seminars and conferences, but the primary learning activity is by supervised Ahands-on@ experience. This type of instruction is reserved for courses in the professional curriculum.

Sources:

Dejnozka, E. L., and Kupel, D. E., eds. (1982). American educator=s encyclopedia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.