May 14, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
  Catalog Home
  Notices & Updates
  About the University
  Accreditation
  Trustees & Administrative Leadership
  Academic Calendar
  Student Rights & Responsibilities
  Academic & Administrative Policies
  Colleges, Schools, & Departments
  Graduate Programs
  Course Descriptions
  Admissions
  Costs, Financial Aid, & Assistantships
  Research Facilities & Services
  Contact Information
  Maps & Directions
HELP
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

 

Vision Studies
  

  • VISN 619 - Teacher of the Visually Impaired Practicum

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    039110:1
  

  • VISN 621 - Orientation and Mobility Assessment and Instructional Strategies: Children

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course is the first of two instructional strategy courses. It applies foundations and methods to the specific populations of preschool, elementary, and transition-age visually impaired children, including those with additional disabilities. Assessment tools are introduced and applied with an emphasis on the development of participants’ skills in observation, information gathering, and task analysis. Participants develop specific objectives and design lessons for instructing children. This course requires an additional minimum daytime participation of six to eight hours per week to acquire 80 hours of instructional experience.

    028826:1
  

  • VISN 622 - Orientation and Mobility Assessment- Adult

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    028827:1
  

  • VISN 625 - Methods of Orientation and Mobility

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course examines the foundations of learning and teaching orientation and mobility. The weekly lectures provide an introduction to the principles of concept development, spatial orientation, and environmental analysis as these topics relate to independent travel by visually-impaired individuals. In addition, a teacher-guided practicum lab meets for weekly sessions, totaling 120 hours throughout the semester.

    039532:1
  

  • VISN 628 - Orientation and Mobility Praxis Lab

    1 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This required course is to be taken concurrently or before VISN 620 Methods of Orientation and Mobility. In this lab, students will learn techniques and training approaches that will enable them to teach people who are blind and visually impaired to travel safely and efficiently. Through use of blindfold and low vision simulators, students will have the opportunity to learn, experience, and teach orientation and mobility skills and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on knowledge of skills and techniques, ability to communicate while teaching, ability to safely and effectively monitor others whole teaching and class participation.

    039516:1
  

  • VISN 629 - Orientation and Mobility Practicum

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    039118:1
  

  • VISN 630 - Introduction to Vision Rehabilitation Therapy

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course is designed to provide the learner with hands-on instruction, independent learning and laboratory practice in the methodologies and adaptive techniques utilized by the professional Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. This course examines the functional implications of vision loss on primary activities of daily living, with emphasis in basic methodologies of Orientation and Mobility and Vision Rehabilitation Teaching. Exploration of life skills essential to independence will be addressed with consideration to student and adult populations. Weekly lecture content will be enhanced by functional lab activities designed to give the student the opportunity to experience and critically assess the effectiveness of current methodology.

    039754:1
  

  • VISN 631 - Methods of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy I

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course is designed to provide the learner with hands-on instruction, independent learning and laboratory practice in the methodologies and adaptive techniques utilized by the professional Vision Rehabilitation Therapist in the personal management, recreation and leisure areas of Independent Living Skills. This course will emphasize the utilization of adaptive techniques and resources gathering, and will address skills that are applicable for adults and older adults as well as children and adolescents. Laboratory experience with blindfolds and low vision simulators will provide each learner with the opportunity to practice recommended techniques and adaptations that will facilitate the teaching of selected independent Living Skills to students, clients and consumers who are blind or who have low vision.

    037000:1
  

  • VISN 632 - Methods of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy II

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course is designed to provide the learner with hands-on instruction, independent learning and laboratory practice in the methodologies and adaptive techniques utilized by the professional vision rehabilitation therapist in the Communications/Technology areas of Independent Living Skills. This course will emphasize the utilization of adaptive techniques and resources gathering, and will address skills that are applicable for adults and older adults as well as children and adolescents. Laboratory experiences with blindfolds and low vision simulators will provide each learner with the opportunity to practice recommended techniques and adaptations that will facilitate the teaching of selected Independent Living Skills to students, clients, and consumers who are blind or who have low vision.

    037695:1
  

  • VISN 639 - Visual Rehabilitation Therapy Practicum

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    039119:1
  

  • VISN 640 - Psychosocial Aspects of Visual Impairment

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course will investigate the psychosocial aspects of vision loss. Coping techniques and issues of self-esteem will be explored along with principles of self-determination. Other topics include the psychosocial aspects of personal life management such as orientation and mobility, use of volunteers, sexuality, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Psychosocial issues specific to people from diverse cultures will also be addressed.

    033027:1
  

  • VISN 642 - Technology for Students with VI and Multiple Disabilities

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course will assist students in understanding how technology can provide access to communication and to the curriculum for children who are visually impaired with additional disabilities including deaf blindness. Students will explore a spectrum of assistive technology from simple technology to high tech and develop a framework to identify features to meet the educational needs of this population. Methods of using assistive technology to support curriculum will be explored and demonstrated through the creation of customized computer activities using current multimedia authoring programs. Strategies for integrating assistive technology into the classroom in both self-contained and inclusive settings will be discussed.

    035208:1
  

  • VISN 646 - Introduction to Audiology and the Human Auditory System

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course will cover the nature of sound and how humans perceive it. Sound in the environment and how sound is used by humans to move through their environment will also be explored. Topics include the basics of sound, anatomy and physiology of the auditory system with an emphasis on function, common disorders of the auditory system, and how these disorders are manifested. The principles of basic audiology and how to understand and relate to the audiologist provide a foundation for hearing both clinically and functionally. Students will learn hearing aid technology and the application of that technology to various auditory disorders in a functional sense.

    038155:1
  

  • VISN 648 - Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course provides an in-depth study of CVI and resources available for assessment and instructional strategies. participants will further examine and explore the unique educational needs of children with CVI and the skills related to teaching these children in a full array of educational settings; Pre-K through grade 12. Topics include teaching strategies in the core and expanded core curriculums, such as: literacy, career-vocational skills, visual efficiency and compensatory auditory strategies. Instruction will also address material modifications and accommodations.

    039521:1
  

  • VISN 650 - Instructional Strategies for Teaching Braille Literacy Skills to all Learners with Visual Impairment

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course provides an in depth study of methods for teaching braille literacy skills to students with all ranges of visual impairments and abilities. Literacy instruction in the general education classroom will be addressed. Strategies for teaching pre or emergent braille skills, beginning, intermediate, and advanced braille skills will be taught. Topics will include braille for early childhood, elementary, secondary, and dual media learners as well as students with additional and/or multiple disabilities. Instruction will also include pull out vs. push in services, technology use with braille instruction, specific materials development, modification and accommodations.

    039847:1
  

  • VISN 651 - Vision and the Brain: Neurolog

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    Students will learn about the neuroanatomy associated with visual processing, brain development int he context of vision, as well as understand how and where various aspects of functional vision are processed in the brain and how early developmental brain damage may impact these processes. Specifically, concepts including motion processing, visual attention, object and face processing, visuomotor integration, and agnosias will be covered. Students will also learn about the principles that govern neuroplasticity and vulnerability; learn what makes a good study and a scientifically valid and reliable assessment; and also understand why a common language between educators, clinicians, and parents is imperative for serving children with CVI.

    041555:1
  

  • VISN 652 - Assessment for Students with Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    Students will learn how traditional ocular functional vision assessments do not accurately and completely assess the visual processing and visual recognition difficulties of the child with brain based visual impairment. Students will understand concepts including the limitation of clinical vision functional testing and the need for functional vision testing by a licensed TVIs, O&M specialist and Vision Rehabilitation professionals. Students will show ability to interpret ophthalmology, low vision and neurology reports. Students will learn to effectively perform CVI functional vision assessments and Learning Media Assessments with the consideration that neuroplasticity can lead to visual improvements and that each child needs a unique consideration of all skills and abilities. Assessment of compensatory skill use is also essential to understand the total child.

    041556:1
  

  • VISN 653 - Promising Practices for Teaching Students with CVI

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    Students will learn current promising practices in teaching learners with CVI including how to apply the assessment results to report writing, IEP development, ECC application, materials creation, environmental adaptations, social support creation, behavior strategies, service delivery decisions, and literacy based on each student’s unique profiles.

    041557:1
  

  • VISN 654 - Consultation and Collaboration Strategies

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    Students will learn the knowledge and skills necessary for collaborative consultation and technical assistance to parents, school-based teams and medical professionals of learners with a diagnosis of CVI. Collaboration strategies for effective information sharing with parents, teams and medical professional will be reviewed and applied.

    041558:1
  

  • VISN 660 - Introduction to Assistive Technology for People with Visual Impairments

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This fully online course will provide an introduction to the profession of Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments. Students will learn through demonstrations, hands-on activities, and independent learning exercises about a variety of assistive technology solutions for people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired, including: screen magnification software, screen reading software, OCR software, braille technologies, low vision devices, smart phone and tablet accessibility features, as well as other specialized devices designed for people with visual impairments. The benefits and limitations of accessibility features that are built-in to mainstream technologies compared to specialized assistive technology devices and software will be discussed. Techniques for determining the most appropriate assistive technology solutions will also be discussed. The course explores strategies for integrating assistive technology in different settings, such as in schools, homes, colleges/universities, jobsites, and avocational settings.

    041188:1
  

  • VISN 661 - Assistive Technology Assessment and Instruction for People with Visual Impairments

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This fully online course provides participants with a thorough overview of assessment and instruction techniques for teaching assistive technology to people with visual impairments of all ages. Topics include: task analysis; lesson and training plan development; learning development and evolution of assistive technology skills during instruction; learning theories as applied to children and adults; instructional strategies for assistive technology; conduction assistive technology assessments; making decisions regarding appropriate devices; choosing appropriate learning modalities; justifying recommendations; applying different AT assessment techniques, such as HAAT, WATI, and SETT; ethical issues related to AT assessment and services; and writing AT assessment reports. We will explore ethical issues at AT, evaluation the effectiveness at AT services, using AT with productivity platforms on different operating systems, developing curriculum for teaching screen magnification and screen reading software on different operation systems, developing curriculum for teaching accessible apps on mobile devices, as well as developing curriculum for teaching accessible stand-alone devices, accessible third-party applications, and built-in accessibility features.

    Enrollment Requirements:
    Prerequisite: VISN 660 

    041189:1
  

  • VISN 662 - Configuration and Exploration of Assistive Technology solutions for People with Visual Impairments

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This fully online course will assist participants in understanding and applying configuration and exploration strategies for mainstream and assistive technologies. We will explore a variety of topics, including: Operating systems and computing devices, various PC components, operational procedures for professionalism and effective communication, technical support resources for accessibility for major operating systems, tools used for computer maintenance and repair, installing software and operating system updates, setting up and using built-in accessibility features in different operation systems, operating system maintenance procedures, setup and configuration of systems and devices for remote training, determining if remote training and support is appropriate, conferences and educational opportunities to keep up-to-date with various technologies, computer maintenance tools and procedures, disabling and removing of unnecessary or inaccessible third-party software, troubleshooting computing technology, virtualized operation systems, display technologies, options for self-teaching and continuing education to remain current with various technologies, local networking, wireless networking, wireless troubleshooting internet issues, portable and mobile-computing technology, and security measures for computing technology.

    Enrollment Requirements:
    Prerequisites: VISN 660  and 661 

    041190:1
  

  • VISN 663 - Technological Methods of Accessibility and Accommodations for People with Visual Impairments

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This fully online course will provide an overview of best practices for providing assistive technology services to people with visual impairments, as well as digital accessibility and usability, accommodations, and universal design in educational, vocational, avocational, and home environments. Students will learn through demonstrations, hands-on activities, and independent learning exercises about strategies for creating accessible instructional materials, in a variety of formats and learning modalities, customizing screen readers on various operation systems for compatibility with third-party applications, and personalizing assistive technology options. This course explores a variety of assistive technologies, techniques, and strategies for working with people who have visual impairments, as well as additional disabilities.

    Enrollment Requirements:
    Prerequisites: VISN 660  and 661  and 662 

    041191:1
  

  • VISN 669 - Assistive Technology for People with Visual Impairments Practicum

    4 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    The assistive Technology for People with Visual Impairments Practicum consists of a supervised practicum for pre-service professionals within the Assistive Technology Program working with students who are visually impaired, ranging from school aged students to adult vocational and geriatric populations. Pre-registration for the Assistive Technology for People with Visual Impairments Practicum is required on semester prior to enrollment, along with documentation of completion of all required courses and successful completion of a minimum of 25 integrated field hours for assistive technology experiences. The practicum site must be approved by the Program Coordinator. In addition to the field-based experience, students are expected to obtain a passing score on the national professional certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments (CATIS examination through the Academy for Certification for Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professional (ACVREP)

    Enrollment Requirements:
    Prerequisites: VISN 660  and 661  and 662  and 663  

    041192:1
  

  • VISN 697 - Special Topics

    1 - 6 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    An advanced course offering intensive study of selected topics in this subject area.

    038120:1

Women’s and Gender Studies
  

  • WGS 501 - Advanced Topics in Human Rights

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This seminar aims to provide students with a deeper knowledge of human rights as both an intellectual discourse and a realm of political action. The first part of the course deals with the emergence and institutionalization of human rights in the 20th century. Beginning with an overview of its roots in political theory, moving to the first and second generation of rights, to debates over universality and cultural relativism and ending with exploration of human rights frameworks’ applicability and implications across nations and cultures, the course offers an in-depth interdisciplinary understanding of the field and its practices. Topics of study include torture, genocide, race gender and law, visual culture, humanitarian intervention and protection.

    039658:1
  

  • WGS 581 - Seminar in Gender, Power, Politics/Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course investigates theories, methodologies and practices of feminist inquiry in the social sciences. We look at the many ways in which feminist scholarship has sought to understand and theorize power and politics. It is designed as a seminar for students who are motivated to think critically about a range of issues related to gender and politics and relations of power. It introduces students to feminist theoretical frameworks for thinking about power, as well as to empirical explorations of a variety of key topics within the larger field of gender and politics.

    039506:1
  

  • WGS 583 - Seminar in Gender, Culture, Society/Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course investigates theories, methodologies and practices of feminist inquiry in the humanities. We look at the many ways in which feminist scholarship has sought to understand and theorize society and culture. It is designed as a seminar for students who are motivated to think critically about a range of issues related to gender and socio-cultural norms, institutions and relations of power. It introduces students to interdisciplinary and intersectional perspectives to knowledge, agency, social and structural inequalities.

    039507:1
  

  • WGS 591 - Feminist Inquiry: Strategies for Effective Scholarship/Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course investigates theories and practices of feminist inquiry across a range of disciplines. Doing feminist research involves rethinking disciplinary assumptions and methodologies, developing new understandings of what counts as knowledge, seeking alternative ways of understanding the origins of problems/issues, formulating new ways of asking questions and redefining the relationship between subjects and objects of study. The course will focus on methodology, i.e., the theory and analysis of how research should proceed. We shall be especially attentive to epistemological issues–pre-suppositions about the nature of knowledge and in their connections to methodologies and research methods. Further, we shall explore how these connections are formed in the traditional disciplines and raise questions about why they are inadequate and / or problematic for feminist inquiry.

    034855:1
  

  • WGS 597 - Special Topics in Women’s Studies/Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies

    1 - 6 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    This course offers intensive study of a selected topic in Women’s Studies offered through the Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies. Course content varies according to the topic, which will be announced prior to the registration period.

    033314:1
  

  • WGS 599 - Dissertation Workshop/Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies

    3 Credit(s) |  |
    Description:
    A writing workshop for dissertation writers at all levels, beginning with preparation of the proposal. Class will include rotating discussion in each meeting of pre-circulated material by on or two students. In addition to a constructive critiques of student writing, we will focus on; theoretical and methodological concepts in Women’s and Gender Studies across disciplines; research, argumentation, and writing; practical matters such as; the Dissertation Committee, looking toward eventual publication, and writing with an eye to a professional position. This class meets every other week.

    034856:1
 

Page: 1 <- Back 10 … 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15