Community Education: Community Arts (B.A.)

The mission of the Community Education Program (CEP) at WLU is to attract intelligent and creative students showing an interest in education that is not limited to “traditional teacher education” in the classroom. The program seeks candidates who are open to serve as competent and effective professional educators and facilitators, willing to marry the two worlds of Formal and Non-Formal Education through active engagement in and through the community. Many of the courses in the Community Education Program include field experiences in the local community and/or community-based settings. Students are responsible for their own transportation.

The curriculum is designed to structure, facilitate, and promote the 21st Century skills of critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Students are encouraged to communicate and collaborate with individuals, groups, and institutions of the community on a local, national, and even international level. The program aims to develop master educators, facilitators, and educational leaders that contribute to community development at various levels, by engaging in the community through teaching, motivating its members through reflection, and consequently changing lives in a positive way.

Students will be equipped to serve the community/non-formal education of children, adults, and communities through a broad set of coursework. The acquired knowledge of specific common core courses, community education courses, and the possibility of specification in one of the majors of Community Arts, Disabilities Services, Outdoor Education, Teaching English and Global Education, and Sports, Recreation and Wellness will not just embrace the students’ interests and strengths, but also provide students with multifaceted employment options in schools, universities, museums, community centers, and other community facilities upon graduation.

Requirements

Required Courses

CEP 101Introduction to Community Education & CEP

3

CEP 411Formal & Non-formal Educational Models

3

CEP 421Promoting Creativity & the Arts

3

CEP 422Outdoor Learning Spaces

3

CEP 433Program Design & Implementation

3

Or

CEP 473Community & School-based Programming

3

CEP 442Community Empowerment & Engagement

3

CEP 443Fundraising & Grant Writing

3

CEP 452Reggio Emilia & Other Approaches

3

CEP 463Leadership in Community Education

3

CEP 482Practicum II (off-campus)

3

CEP 492Practicum I (on-campus)

3

CEP 493Internship/ International Community Experience

4

EDUC 201Human Development

3

EDUC 205Integrated Arts for Elementary Teacher

3

ENT 202Creative Problem Solving

3

ENT 300Foundation of Entrepreneurship

3

Or

ENT 350Entrepreneurship Law & Ethics

3

Or

ENT 325Social Entrepreneurship

3

SPED 241Introduction to Exceptionalities

3

Choose 3 hours from the following:

COM 227Visual Critical Literacy

3

COM 231News Writing & Reporting

3

COM 426Social Media Campaigns

3

ART 190Intro to Computer Graphics

3

Electives to total 120 hours