Course Descriptions

Education - EDUC

General Information

Unless stated otherwise, all courses are non-repeatable except under certain conditions.

Open Enrollment

It is the policy of West Hills College Lemoore, unless specifically exempted by statute, that every course section or class, the average daily attendance of which is to be reported for state aid, wherever offered and maintained by the District, shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the College and who meets such prerequisites as may be established pursuant to Chapter 11, Division 2, Part VI, Title 5 of the California Administrative Code, commencing with Section 41820.

Unit or Credit Value

Each course carries a certain credit or unit value. The amount is indicated in parentheses at the right of the title. A lecture class requires the equivalent of one academic hour, (50 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred. Laboratory classes require three academic hours, (150 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred.

Prerequisite

Prerequisites are prescribed courses covering skills and/or knowledge that are normally expected to be acquired prior to enrolling in another course. The intent of prerequisites is to ensure that any student enrolling in a course in which specific information is required will have the necessary background so that every opportunity exists to experience success. Therefore, any course with a prerequisite presumes that subject matter will be acquired in a sequential way.

Students enrolling in courses without the appropriate prerequisite may find that they are ill-prepared to continue their studies in that course. Prerequisites are designed to enhance success. Please refer to the West Hills College Lemoore prerequisite policy in the Academic Regulations portion of this catalog for additional information.

Corequisite

Corequisites are courses that a student is required to take simultaneously in order to enroll in another course. (Successful completion is defined as a grade C or better for the minimum prerequisite/corequisite requirement.)

Class Hours

The total number of class lecture and laboratory hours for each course is indicated in its course description. The schedule of classes, which is available at the time of class registration, will indicate which dates, days and times a given class is scheduled to meet.

Course Subject

Courses are classified by subjects as they exist at West Hills College Lemoore. All courses within an area usually count towards a major in that area. Other institutions may classify their courses differently. Transfer students should consult the catalog of the four-year college to which they intend to transfer for its classification of identical or comparable courses.

Course Numbering

Courses numbered 001-049 are baccalaureate level (transfer) courses. These courses are transferable to four-year institutions. However, the institution that the student transfers to determines the specific transferability of courses.

Courses numbered 050-99 are associate degree level courses. These courses are primarily for the student who does not plan to continue his/her education beyond the community college level; however, occupational education courses may transfer according to articulation agreements. Complete information on articulation is available through the Counseling Center.

Courses numbered 100-199 are non-transfer and are non-degree applicable; they are skill building or remedial courses.

Courses in some subject areas that are traditionally taught as combination lecture- laboratory courses at four-year colleges are split into two separate courses:  one a lecture course for transfer students and one a laboratory course for both transfer and non-transfer students. Students wishing to transfer must take both the lecture and laboratory courses.

  • NOTE:  In case of transfer and non-transfer courses taught concurrently, a student may receive credit only for the course in which he/she is enrolled, not both. A student cannot change from one course to the other except according to regular drop/add procedures. He/She should be guided by the course description and may need to consult a counselor or advisor for aid.
Abbreviations for Degree, Non-Degree and Transfer Courses

The following abbreviations designate degree applicable, transfer and non-degree applicable courses:

(AA/AS) Associate Degree Applicable

(CSU) Transferable to California State University System

(UC) Transferable to University of California System

(NDA) Non-Degree Applicable

  • EDUC-001
  • Introduction to Teaching
  • Credit(s) 3

Introduction to Teaching
EDUC 001 introduces students to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in today's contemporary schools, Kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12). Topics include teaching as a profession and career, historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, contemporary educational issues, California's content standards and frameworks, and teacher performance standards. In addition to class time, the course requires a minimum of 45 hours of structured fieldwork in public school elementary classrooms that represent California's diverse student population, and includes cooperation with at least one carefully selected and campus-approved certificated classroom teacher. (C-ID EDUC 200)(AA/AS, CSU, UC)

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Advisory(s):
ENG 051A
Transfers to:
Transfers to CSU only
C-ID:
EDUC 200
  • EDUC-005
  • Critical Think. in the Classrm
  • Credit(s) 3

Critical Thinking in the Classroom
EDUC 005 is a critical thinking class intended for students who are considering teaching as a profession.Principles and methods of critical thinking such as identifying arguments, developing reasoning skills, and identifying common fallacies are blended with applications of these concepts into a K-12 classroom environment.(AA/AS,CSU)

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 051A
Advisory(s):
EDUC 001
Transfers to:
Transfers to CSU only
  • EDUC-015X
  • Educational Work Experience
  • Credit(s) 1 - 8

Educational Work Experience
EDUC 015X Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE) develops skills and knowledge by integrating classroom study with planned, supervised work experience. It is based on the principle that well educated individuals develop most effectively through an educational plan that incorporates work experience. Through these structured experiences, the students enrich their college studies, which enhance their total development. Educational Work Experience is supervised employment which is intended to assist students in acquiring desirable work habits, attitudes and career awareness in the field of the student's major. Students may earn up to 8 units per semester for a maximum of 16 total units. Credits are awarded for paid or voluntary work. For every 75 hours of paid work completed within the semester, 1 unit of credit is awarded. For every 60 hours of volunteer work completed within the semester, 1 unit of credit is awarded. Educational Work Experience credits are counted as electives toward an Associate of Arts (AA) degree at West Hills College and are transferable to four year universities (for specific transfer eligibility, please contact an advisor).

Class Hours:
Lecture
Transfers to:
Transfers to CSU only
  • EDUC-057
  • Best Practices Summer Teaching
  • Credit(s) 1

Best Practices Summer Teaching Institute
Educ 57 is an intensive 3-day summer institute designed for current classroom teachers and prospective teachers. It features revelant educations topics and best practices in the classroom such as classroom management, integration of technology into the curriculum, and issues in literacy. The institute features top educators from around the state and includes a "cross-conversations" component to enable current classroom teachers and future educators to share their experiences and methodologies.

Class Hours:
18 Lecture
Transfers to:
Not transferable