Send mail to address above. Deliveries to: 250 Killian, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee , NC 28723

Departmental Secretaries: Mrs. Wilma Nations & Mrs. Carol Oxendine (Ed. D. Secretary); 227.7415, 250 Killian

Course Objectives. The purpose of this course is to explore “sense of place,” identify significant issues in rural education and consider ways in which school leaders can examine, study and improve rural schools through research-based practices and policies.

This course will follow the process model: Explore, Dig, Focus, Question, Analyze, Produce.

Explore Broadly, Dig Deeply, Focus on a Particular Issue or Problem, Develop Significant Questions, Analyze the Literature and Data, and Produce a Project

Text. Readings from various sources will be used in the course. The first text, used to explore sense of place and the historical rural school, is The Thread that Runs So True by Jesse Stuart.

Required: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition, by the American Psychological Association .

College Foundations

Conceptual Framework The professional education program at Western Carolina University fulfills its mission by creating and nourishing a community of learners guided by knowledge, values, experiences, appreciation of cultural differences and technology. The guiding principles of this community include the belief that the best educational decisions are made after adequate reflection and with careful consideration of the interests, experiences, and welfare of the persons affected by the decisions; appreciation of and respect for diversity; and fostering the responsible use of technology. The three prongs of the conceptual framework inform the structure of this course: Students will develop a knowledge base on rural schooling, examine values related to rural schools and communities, and be provided with experiential activities to create a realistic understanding.

Cultural Diversity This course provides exploration of a normally untapped diversity areana as well as a lens through which to view related issues. Students are encouraged to explore diversity as an important issue in rural education and communities.

Technology  Students are expected to be proficient in the use of technology designed to facilitate learning.  This includes the expectation that students will use their WCU email address, MYCAT and WebCt as needed.