Course: Communication 115 and Human Development 115: Media and Design/Social Learning Contexts

Department(s):  Communication and Human Development Program

Program Name(s):  The Fifth Dimension at Torrey Pines Elementary School, La Clase Magica at St. Leo's Mission.

Instructor(s):  Professor Michael Cole, Departments of Communication, Psychology, and Human Development; Director, Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition (LCHC)

Participants (based on 2004-05 data):

• Approximately 65 undergraduates and 4 graduate students per academic year

Course Description:

• Focuses on children’s social and cognitive development
• Teaches field research methods
• Covers contemporary theoretical perspectives and research on human learning, with a focus on sociocultural and cultural-historical perspectives.

Fieldwork: 

• Undergraduates mentoring and interacting with children at the site
• Observation of children’s experiences in the program and preparation of field notes
• Provide undergraduates with experience working with diverse children and community organizations

Evaluation Strategies:  

• Pre- and post-test of undergraduate knowledge of course content
• Examination of undergraduate field notes to measure understanding of theory and practice related to course content
• Survey of undergraduate interest in pursuing graduate or professional school studies

Sample Course Syllabus