Curricular Overview

Use this page to understand the curricular requirements for undergraduate concentrations. A printed version of this document is available on the SESP Student Canvas site.

SESP Core Courses

Elementary Teaching, Human Development in Context, Learning & Organizational Change, Learning Sciences, and Social Policy

Students will earn 8 credits completing the following core courses:

Seminar (1 credit) — Fulfilled by SESP 200: Understanding Knowledge in Policy, Research & Practice
Human Development (1 credit) — Fulfilled by
- SESP 201: Childhood & Adolescence OR
- SESP 351: Childhood & Adolescence Development OR
- SESP 203: Adulthood & Aging OR
- HDPS 310: The Art & Science of Aging
Methodologies (2 credits) — Fulfilled by SESP 210: Intro to Statistics & Research Methodologies AND SESP 272: Field Research Methods
Experiential Learning (4 credits) — Fulfilled by Practicum (SESP 384, SESP 389, or SESP 392) or Student Teaching (TEACH ED 123, TEACH ED 124 or TEACH ED 125)

Secondary Teaching

All of the following:

SESP 201: Childhood & Adolescence or PSYCH 244
TEACH ED 302: Social, Cultural, and Linguistic Contexts of Education
TEACH ED 310: Foundations of Learning in a New Language
TEACH ED 322: Content Area Reading & Writing
TEACH ED 327: Educating Exceptional Children

The following sequence:

One of the following: Teach Ed 355, 356, 357, 358, 359: Methods & Techniques
One of the following: Teach Ed 366, 367, 368, 369: Middle Grades Methods & Techniques and Content
One of the following: Teach Ed 375, 376, 378: Theory & Practice of Teaching
One of the following: Teach Ed 385, 386, 388: Student Teaching & Seminar (4 credits)

Foundations Courses

Students will learn between 1-5 credits taking the following required courses, which vary by concentration.

Elementary Teaching

LRN SCI/TEACH ED 302: Social, Cultural & Ling
TEACH ED 310: Foundations of Learning in a New Language
TEACH ED 322: Linguistics Informed Approaches to Lit
TEACH ED 327: Educating the Exceptional Child
TEACH ED 301: Schooling in America
TEACH ED 377: Theory & Practice of Teaching

Human Development in Context

Students are required to take the following courses to fulfill the Foundations requirement:

SESP 201: Childhood & Adolescence OR SESP 351: Child and Adolescent Development;
SESP 203: Adulthood & Aging OR HDC 310: The Art & Science of Aging OR HDC 351: Becoming an Adult

Note: HDC students must take both a child and one adult development course

Learning & Organizational Change

Students are required to take the following courses to fulfill the Foundations requirement:

LOC 211: Seminar on Organizational Theory & Practice
LOC 306: Studies in Organizational Change

Learning Sciences

Students are required to take the following cores to fulfill the Foundations requirement:

LRN SCI 201: Cognition & Action
LRN SCI 202: Culture, Language, & Identity
LRN SCI 301: Design of Learning Environments*

Secondary Teaching

Natural Sciences (2)
Empirical & Deductive Reasoning (2)
History (2)
Ethical & Evaluative Thinking (2)
Note: Teach Ed 302 will double-count for one of these
Literature & Arts (2)

Social Policy

Students are required to take the following courses to fulfill the Foundations requirement:

ECON 202: Intro to Microeconomics
POLI SCI 220: Intro to American Government & Politics
SOC POL 312: Social Policymaking & Implementation
POLI SCI 240: Intro to International Relations or POLI SCI 250: Intro to Comparative Politics

Competency Area Courses (Secondary Teaching Concentration only)

Students will earn 12-20.72 credits for these courses.

Credits by competency area subject

Biology — 20.06 credits
Chemistry — 20.72 credits
Physics — 14.36 credits
English — 13 credits
Spanish — 13 credits
Mathematics — 12 credits
History — 14 credits
Economics — 15 credits
Political Science — 15 credits

Note: Prerequisite requirements in related disciplines (i.e., math and sciences) that increase the required number of credits are not included

Concentration Cluster Courses

Elementary Teaching

Sciences (3)

Science: At least 1 course from each of the following 3 areas: Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth & Space Science.
Note that 2 courses can be fulfilled by the natural sciences foundational discipline requirement if taken in the specified areas.

Social Sciences (2)

TEACH ED 334: Social Science Content for Teachers
At least 1 course from the following 2 areas: Political Science and Economics

Math (1)

1 Math course: This can be fulfilled by the empirical and deductive reasoning requirement if one course is taken in Math.

Methods (5)

TEACH ED 311: Elementary Soc Sci/Science Methods I*
TEACH ED 312: Elementary Social Studies/Sci MethodsII*
TEACH ED 320: Design for Ling & Cultural Sustaining Inst
TEACH ED 323: Elementary Literacy Methods*
TEACH ED 326: Elementary Math Methods*

Equity and Education (3)

LRN SCI 224: Holocaust Ed Design*^
LRN SCI 301: Design of Learning Environments*
LRN SCI 323: Holocaust Memory, Memorials and Museums*^
LRN SCI/LOC 214: Culture & Cognition^
LOC 214-BR: Culture & Cog - SLI
SESP 251: Community-Based Research Methods: Educational Justice*^
SESP 360: Magic, Monsters & the Holocaust^*
TEACH ED 309 Supporting Discourse in the K-12
TEACH ED 324: Critical Issues in Literacy
TEACH ED 328 Dynamics of Middle School Curriculum
TEACH ED 329: Cognition & Culture in Teaching & Learning

Please note that middle grades teaching endorsement is available with completion of the following:

7 courses in chosen competency subject area
One of the following: Teach Ed 366, 367, 368, 369: Middle Grades Methods & Techniques and Content (course number depends on competency subject area)
Applicable State of Illinois required content area test (talk to your advisor)

Human Development in Context

Fundamentals (1)

HDC 305: Identity and Motivation^
HDC 307: Emotional Mysteries
PSYCH 215: Psychology of Personality
PSYCH 228: Cognitive Psychology

Social Policy and Change (1)

HDC 330: Adolescent Stress: Sources and Solutions*
SOC POL 313: Race, Inequality and the Pol^
SOC POL 331: Econ of Inequality^
SOC POL 351: Child & Family Policy
SOC POL 351: Intersectionality, Measurement*^
SOC POL 351: Religion & Policy^
SOC POL 351: Racialization, Stress & Develop^
SOCPOL 351: The Social Side of College

Learning and Cognition (1)

COG SCI 110: Intro to Cognitive Science
CSD 392: Language Development and Usage
HDC/LOC 351: Mapping & Spatial Analysis*
LRN SCI 202: Culture, Language, and Identity^
LRN SCI/LOC 214: Culture & Cognition^
LOC 214: Culture & Cognition - SLI^
LOC 313: Learning and Thinking in Organizations
TEACH ED 329: Cog & Culture in Tchg & Lrning^

Social Relations (1)

HDC 307: Emotional Mysteries
HDC/LOC 309: Team Dynamics
HDC 340: Marriage 101
HDC/LOC 351: Global Teams
TEACH ED/LRN SCI 302: Social, Cultural & Linguistic Contexts

Development Analysis (1)

HDC 330: Adolescent Stress: Sources and Solutions*
LRN SCI 224: Holocaust Education Design^*
LRN SCI 301: Design of Learning Environments*
LRN SCI 309: Inclusive Making^
LRN SCI 351: Indigenous Methods in Research*
LRN SCI 351: Text Mining for Ed, Org and Res*
SESP 251: Community-Based Research Methods*^
SESP 310: Causal Methods for Eval Policy*
SOC POL 333: Econ of Health, Hum Cap & Happiness*
SOC POL 334: Quantitative Tools for Policy Analysis*
SOC POL 351: Intersectionality, Measurement & Pub*^

Learning & Organizational Change

Sociocultural Contexts (1)

LOC/LRN SCI 214: Culture & Cognition^
LOC 214-BR: Culture & Cognition - SESP Leadership Inst^
LRN SCI 351: Imaginary Across Social Contexts^
LOC/HDC 351: Identities, Intersections and Orgs^
LRN SCI 351: Computer Science Education^
TEACH ED 302
TEACH ED 329: Cog & Culture in Tchg & Lrning^

Cognitive Psychology (1)

COG SCI 110: Intro to Cog Sci
COG SCI 211: Learning, Rep and Reason
LOC 313: Learning & Thinking in Organizations
LOC/HDC 351: Mapping for Spatial Analysis*
MUS THEORY 251: Music Cognition
PSYCH 228: Cognitive Psychology

Organizational Design (1)

LRN SCI 224: Holocaust Education Design^*
LRN SCI 301: Design of Learning Environments*
LRN SCI 309: Inclusive Making^
LRN SCI 326: Design of Tech Tools for Think & Learn*
LRN SCI 351: Sports, Technology and Learning*
LOC 351: Global Orgs & Leadership^
SESP 323 Holocaust Memory, Memorials & Museums*^

Organizational Analysis (2)

LRN SCI 351: Text Minding for Ed, Org and Res*
LOC 311: Tools for Organizational Analysis*
LOC/HDC 309: Team Dynamics
LOC/HDC 351: Global Teams
SESP 310: Causal Methods for Eval Policy*
SESP 351: Computing, Ethics and Society*^
SOC POL 312: Social Policymaking & Implementation
SOC POL 334: Quantitative Tools* SOC POL 351: Religion & Policy^

Learning Sciences

Cognitive Psychology (1)

COG SCI 207: Intro to Cognitive Modeling
COG SCI 211: Learning, Representation & Reasoning
HDC/LOC 351 Mapping & Spatial Analysis*
PSYCH 228: Cognitive Psychology

Language in Culture (1)

ANTHRO 215: Study of Culture Through Language
LRN SCI/TEACH ED 302: Social, Cultural & Ling^
LING 222: Language, Politics, & Identity
LING 223: Language & Gender

In-School Learning (1+)

LRN SCI/TEACH ED 302: Social, Cultural & Ling^
LRN SCI 338: Learning & Teaching with Technology
LRN SCI 351 Identity, Power & Hist Imag^
LRN SCI 351: Computer Science Ed^
TEACH ED 301: Schooling in America^

Out-of-School Learning (1+)

LRN SCI/LOC 214: Culture & Cognition^
LOC 214-BR Culture and Cog - SESP Leadership Inst^
LRN SCI 224: Holocaust Ed Design*^
LRN SCI 323: Holocaust Memory, Memorials and Museums*^
LRN SCI 351: Text Mining for Ed, Org and Res*
SESP 251: Finding your Path: Future Possibilities
SESP 360 Magic, Monsters & the Holocaust^*
TEACH ED 329: Cog & Culture in Tchg & Lrning^

Design (1+)

LRN SCI 224: Holocaust Education Design^*
LRN SCI 309: Inclusive Making^
LRN SCI /COMP SCI 313: Tangible Interaction Design & Learning*
LRN SCI 326: Design of Tech Tools for Thinking and Learning
LRN SCI 351: Computer Science Ed^
LRN SCI 351: Sports, Technology and Learning*
SESP 251: Community-Based Research Methods: Educational Justice*^

+Plus one additional course in chosen specialization area (In-School Learning, Out-of-School Learning, or Design)

Social Policy

Context & Disciplinary Understandings (1)

ANTHRO 221: Social & Health Inequalities
LRN SCI 224: Holocaust Ed Design*^
LRN SCI/TEACH ED 302: Social, Cultural & Ling^
LRN SCI 309: Inclusive Making^
LRN SCI 323: Holocaust Memory, Memorials and Museums*^
SESP 360 Magic, Monsters & the Holocaust^*
SOC POL 351: Child & Family Policy
SOC POL 351: Religion & Policy^

Contemporary Issues (1)

HDC 330: Adolescent Stress: Sources & Solutions*
LRN SCI 351: Civic Education
SESP 310: Causal Methods for Eval Policy*
SESP 351: Youth Partici Action Research*^
SESP 360: Magic, Monsters & the Holocaust^*
SOC POL 313: Race, Inequality, and the Political Analysis of Public Policy^
SOC POL 335: Women and American Political Leadership
SOC POL 351: Social Side of College*^
SOC POL 351: Racialization, Stress & Development^

Change in People & Orgs (2)

HDC 330: Adolescent Stress: Sources & Solutions*
LRN SCI 202: Culture, Language, & Identity^
LOC/LRN SCI 214: Culture & Cognition^
LOC 214-BR: Culture & Cognition - SESP Leadership Inst^
LRN SCI 309: Inclusive Making^
LOC 306: Studies in Organizational Change
LOC 311: Tools for Organizational Analysis*

Methodological Understandings (2)

LOC/HDC 351: Mapping & Spatial Analysis*
LRN SCI 351: Text Minding for Ed, Org and Res*
LRN SCI 351: Indigenous Methods in Research*
SESP 310: Causal Methods for Evaluating Policy*
SOC POL 331: Economic Inequality & Discrimination
SOC POL 332: Econ of Education Policy*
SOC POL 333: Economics of Health, Human Capital and Happiness*^
SOC POL 334: Quantitative Tools for Policy Analysis*
SOC POL 351: Intersectionality, Measurement & Public Policy*^

Extensions

Approved courses (7-10 credits)

Note: See the Approved Extension Courses document in Canvas for specific courses.

Elementary Teaching

For the full list of Elementary cluster courses, please visit the Elementary Teaching Cluster Courses document in Canvas.

Human Development in Context

Any-level courses (6)
300-level courses (4)

Learning & Organizational Change

Any-level courses (5)
300-level courses (4)

Learning Sciences

Any-level courses (3)
300-level courses (4)

Social Policy

Any-level courses (3)
300-level courses (4)

Foundational Disciplines

All SESP students must fill the following Foundational Discipline requirements, for which they earn 10 credits:

2 natural sciences
2 empirical & deductive reasoning
2 historical studies
2 ethical & evaluative thinking
2 literature & arts

Electives

All SESP students earn 8 credits taking electives.

Overlay Requirements

The courses you take toward your degree must also fulfill ALL of the overlays below:

Global Engagement: Study Abroad OR The equivalent of one year of college-level language
Please note : due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global engagement requirement is waived for students starting in 2019 and 2020
Methods in Context: Any course above followed by a * fulfills the Methods in Context overlay.
For a complete list of courses, please see the Approved Concentration Extension document in Canvas.
Heterogeneity, Systems and Inequalities: Any course above followed by a ^ fufills the heterogeneity, systems and inequalities overlay.
For a complete list of courses, please see the Approved Concentration Extension document in Canvas.