CULTURAL-HISTORICAL ACTIVITY THEORY

EDPSYCH 509

Theories of embodied cognition, and related theories of enacted, extended, and embedded cognition, have had increasing influence on general theories of cognition and philosophy of mind, and therefore have importance for education. Featuring interdisciplinary work, with readings and topics drawn from scholarly literature from several fields, including: neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, robotics and artificial intelligence, phenomenology, linguistics, and anthropology. Develop familiarity with the prevailing theories, empirical findings, and methodologies used to investigate ways that the body and body-based processes (such as perception) influence and constitute cognition, and the implications and applications of embodied cognition for education, including learning, assessment, and teaching practices. Apply these theories to research and design projects.

CURRIC 331

Education is often considered only to take place in formal schooling environments with professionally-trained teachers and students sitting in classrooms. However, research shows - and our intuitions suggest - that education occurs every day in a variety of ways, with a variety of people, and in a variety of spaces. For example, education - or more specifically, teaching and learning - happens in spaces such as museums and libraries but also, perhaps, at sports practice and around the family dinner table. Truly understanding what it means to teach and learn involves delving into and unpacking this variety. Further, if creating change in whether and how different people have opportunities to teach and learn in our society requires exposing and exploiting this variety.

CURRIC 339

Addresses core ideas of learning theory and human development focusing on the middle childhood population. Explores how learning and development are necessarily situated in local and global contexts, offering a cultural frame for understanding the work of teachers. Explores the cultural nature of learning and development and how these understandings can be applied to classroom practice.

EDPSYCH 301

Introduction to theories of learning in formal and informal settings, including theories related to memory, learning, and intelligence; cognitive, social, and affective aspects of learning; the influence of context on learning, including learning with psychological tools, such as language and technological resources; individual differences that may affect learning; and practical applications of learning theory.

CURRIC 702

Sociocultural theories posit that the fundamental mechanism for teaching and learning is social interaction. Examine the varying positions within this genraly body of theoretical liturature, compare and contrast how each position construes the fundamentally social nature of thinking and learning, and consider the methods entailed by each given theory.