2023-24 Academic Catalog

EDDL Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

EDDL 685 Special Topics

3 hours

These courses are developed to provide the educator with in-depth knowledge on educational issues of importance to the field.

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EDDL 695 Special Study

2-3 hours

These independent courses are developed to provide the student with in-depth knowledge in the content of subject matter taught under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite: approval from the doctor of education director and the EDDL department chair.

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EDDL 700 Ethics, Equity and Justice

3 hours

This course approaches the study of ethics by examining the teachings of Jesus and contemporary ethical theories and applies them to the dilemmas of leadership within both public and private education in the culturally diverse communities they serve. Additionally, this course will examine theories and practices of educational equity in relation to various forms of social inequality and marginalization in the American context. Close reading and analysis of contemporary educational research will offer students an opportunity to explore how social justice issues play out in contemporary educational contexts and their implications for practice. Meets or is met by ADMN 543.

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EDDL 701 How Faith Sustains the Life of the Mind

3 hours

This course examines how faith, and particularly the Christian faith, can sustain the life of the mind, serving as an energizing and guiding force in the work and life of a scholar-practitioner. We will examine both the positives and challenges of serving a public religion, the shaping influence of denominational beliefs, what might it mean to teach from a Christian perspective, the concerns regarding maintaining distinctiveness yet avoiding proclamation in educational settings, and the characteristics and commitments that make an educational institution truly Christian. Quaker testimonies (values) will also be examined as a case study for the formation of wisdom communities.

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EDDL 710 Political & Social Persp in Ed

3 hours

Educators operate in a complex web of political relationships - within schools and universities, between educational institutions and their communities, and across levels of government. This course is designed to enable educators to become more effective and responsible actors within this web of political and social relationships in order to improve, restructure, and transform educational institutions. The following questions are examined: What is power? How is political consciousness formed in children and adults? How do social problems become political issues? How is the political decision-making agenda set? How are policy issues decided? How do policy decisions affect and how are they affected by the organizational structure of institutions? How can educational leaders use political power to transform schools? The issues of change; desegregation; decentralization; equality of educational opportunity; structure of educational organization; teacher/student relationships; reform in education at elementary, secondary, post-secondary levels; and multiculturalism are also examined. Meets or is met by ADMN 542 through Spring 2024.

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EDDL 716 The Art and Craft of Leader: Strategies for Organizational Change, Development, and Vitality

3 hours

After a survey of contemporary leadership theories, this course will focus on strategies for effective organization change, thoughtful organizational development, and the impact of leadership on institutional vitality – both positive and negative. Leadership will be understood as both an art form open to creativity, passion and care, and a craft requiring disciplined thought and action. Each student will also develop a personal philosophy of leadership. Meets or is met by ADMN 540.

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EDDL 720 Research in Effective Teaching

3 hours

Analysis and investigation of current research in effective teaching methods as related to specific subject areas, learning styles, and current school reform will be applied. Beginning Summer 2024, met by ADMN 544.

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EDDL 725 Colloquia

1 hour

This course is designed to extend and deepen thinking about education, "educational leadership" and inquiry through shared readings, interaction with faculty and local educational leaders, and critical reflective writing and conversation.

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EDDL 730 Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

3 hours

A course designed to lead professors to gain knowledge and skill in instructional planning, teaching, and assessment in face-to-face, blended, and online instructional environments. Students will review current research focused on young adult and adult learners.

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EDDL 731 Higher Education History and Current Practice

3 hours

A course designed to introduce students to the history of higher education from ancient times through the Middle Ages to the development of the current state of the American research university from a Colonial College Model. The course is designed to focus on how events and issues from the past have been addressed and how they tend to resurface today. The intent is to provide the student with insight, perspectives, and wisdom to address contemporary issues and improve current practice.

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EDDL 732 Higher Education Leadership and Management

3 hours

This course is designed to accomplish three things: (1) provide an synopsis of cogent leadership theories and their application to higher education; (2) offer an overview of the structures, challenges, and concerns facing senior higher education administrators, and (3) identify and examine the management functions at work in contemporary higher education.

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EDDL 733 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education

3 hours

This course examines contemporary trends and issues in American higher education designed to orient students to issues, ideas, and literature that constitute the study of higher education, with emphasis on underlying social and political issues that shape higher education and organizational change.

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EDDL 740 Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

3 hours

In this class, candidates will gain advanced knowledge of curriculum theory, policy, models and practice. They will learn to lead curriculum development and assessment projects, and explore research-based instruction and assessment to support curriculum development.

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EDDL 741 Leading Educational Organizations through Professional Development

3 hours

This course examines the adult learner and principles of effective professional development.

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EDDL 742 Leading People

3 hours

Bringing about change in organizations requires a unique set of leadership skills. Those charged with leadership responsibilities need knowledge and skill to lead people and teams in productive ways. This course explores emerging theories related to leading people.

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EDDL 743 Equity in Educational Environments

3 hours

This course will lead students to reflect and act on the intersection of personal, interpersonal, and organizational influences on beliefs, values, policies, practices, and structures. They will examine the ways these influences prohibit or advantage educational equity and opportunity for all individuals. Students will explore leadership that promotes equitable policies, procedures, and systems to enhance learning within P-20 or community-based educational organizations. (Summer 2024 title change: Assessing Teaching and Learning Environments)

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EDDL 760 The Idea of the University and Contemporary Developments

3 hours

This course examines the idea of the university since its beginning in medieval times, paying particular attention to thinkers in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The intent is to provide the student with a philosophical orientation and perspective on recurring contemporary issues related to HE, helping to guide decision making at all levels of the institution in order to provide wise care of the structures, values, practices, and persons who live and work in institutions of higher education.

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EDDL 762 Assessment Literacy for Teacher Leaders

3 hours

In this course, teacher leaders will explore and practice processes that help educators to make informed data driven decisions related to classroom and school-wide outcomes. Advanced work with formative and summative assessment prepares teacher leaders to direct building initiatives.

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EDDL 763 Leadership in Digital Technology for Education Organizations

3 hours

This course focuses on the real-world issues of planning for, implementing, sustaining, and institutionalizing the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning throughout an educational organization.

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EDDL 764 International Perspectives on Education

3 hours

Education is ever on the agenda of national governments. What role is education expected to play in national development? In this course students will examine the varied ways by which different nations tackle issues such as equity, efficiency, and quality in education. The course will also examine the conceptual and methodological questions underlying the field of comparative education. Particular attention is given to types of social and political analysis that may be applied to comparative and cross-national studies in education.

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EDDL 765 Research Internship

1-3 hours

1, 2, or 3 credits: This internship provides apprenticeship-learning opportunities alongside EdD professors, with a focus on developing and applying knowledge for educational practice. Students may demonstrate proficiency in program evaluation as part of the internship. Internships provide students with in-depth learning experiences in settings outside the university classroom. Opportunities include research-based partnerships with EdD professors or other possible educational partners. All internships are planned and completed under the guidance of a university faculty member. Students in the EdD program should consider internships as elective options to enrich their program of study. Please contact an individual faculty member for each internship experience at least one semester prior to enrolling.

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EDDL 766 Principles of Effective Mentoring

3 hours

Research, theory and effective practice is explored in this course on mentoring in educational settings.

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EDDL 769 Scholarly Reading and Writing Seminar

3 hours

This course is designed for students who wish to delve more deeply into a specific area of study relevant to their doctoral concentration, and to write about that subject in a scholarly manner, producing material worthy of publication. In partnership with the professor of record, students will construct a list of scholarly publications and resources to engage, and a writing schedule with content criteria, submission due dates, and desired outcomes for the seminar.

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EDDL 775 Teaching Internship

1-3 hours

1, 2, or 3 hours: This internship provides apprenticeship alongside GFU professors teaching undergrad or graduate teacher education courses in the student’s field of study. Emphasis is on developing thoughtful and informed pedagogy in online, hybrid, or face-to-face learning environments. Internships provide students with in-depth learning experiences in settings outside the university classroom. Opportunities include teaching-based partnerships with EdD professors. All internships are planned and completed under the guidance of a university faculty member. Students in the EdD program should consider internships as elective options to enrich their program of study. Please contact the individual faculty member for each internship experience at least one semester prior to enrolling.

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EDDL 796/776 Research Literacy for Educational Leadership

3 hours

The course will develop knowledge and skills needed for the critical review and consumption of (1) empirical research from the scholarly and professional literature in educational leadership and (2) data generated through and informative of the professional practice in education. The course addresses the question, "How do scholar practitioners discern and interact with scholarly research and organizational data in ways that contribute to improvement in education?"

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EDDL 797/779 Proposal Development for Inquiry and Research

3 hours

This course will develop key student skills necessary for dissertation research and completion. Technical skills such as refining inquiry and research questions, writing a literature review, and developing a dissertation proposal will be learned. Soft skills and dispositions researchers need to develop and employ will also be studied and fostered. Students will write a problem, purpose and significance statement using a rationale supported by evidence and reasons, including an ethical justification for the chosen problem of practice. They will also provide a justification for how the scholarly literature supports each of the above elements. The course addresses the question, "How do scholar practitioners prepare and plan to communicate research and scholarship findings through dissertation?" NOTE:**Consult with the Research Director ahead of registering for EDDL 797/779 to determine the most appropriate track for either the 800-803 or 806-807 sequence; each track requires 8 credits for completion. Pre-requisite: EDDL 798/778.

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EDDL 798/778 Data Analysis & Evidence-Based Improvement

3 hours

This course will examine data analysis techniques - both quantitative and qualitative - that are essential to context-based continuous improvement. Leading practice improvement as scholar practitioners in educational settings requires that data be collected, analyzed, and fashioned as evidence that is accepted in schools, the academy and the community. Analysis techniques will be studied for methodological soundness. The course addresses the question, "How do scholar practitioners analyze data effectively, and use it as evidence in service of context-based leadership and scholarship?" Pre-requisite: EDDL 799/777.

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EDDL 799/777 Using Data for Continuous Organizational Improvement

3 hours

This course will develop skills and thinking related to continuous improvement in education at an organizational level. Approaches and techniques drawn from improvement science and other continuous improvement systems thinking heuristics will be studied and developed. The course addresses the question, "How do organizational leaders intentionally design and monitor continuous improvement aligned to mission?" Prerequisite: EDDL 796/776.

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EDDL 800 Dissertation

2 hours

Students are required to take a minimum of 8 semester credits for dissertation work (typically spread across fall/spring semesters of Year 3). If the student has not finished the dissertation in this time frame, the candidate must stay continuously enrolled in dissertation credits (2 credits per semester) until the dissertation is completed. Prerequisites: EDDL 796/776, 797/779, 798/778 and 799/777.

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EDDL 801 Dissertation Research

2 hours

Students are required to take a minimum of 8 semester credits for dissertation work (typically spread across fall/spring semesters of Year 3). If the student has not finished the dissertation in this timeframe, the candidate must stay continuously enrolled in dissertation credits (2 credits per semester) until the dissertation is completed. Prerequisite: EDDL 800. Can be enrolled concurrently with EDDL 800 with the permission of the Doctor of Education Program director.

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EDDL 802 Dissertation Research

2 hours

Students are required to take a minimum of 8 semester credits for dissertation work (typically spread across fall/spring semesters of Year 3). If the student has not finished the dissertation in this timeframe, the candidate must stay continuously enrolled in dissertation credits (2 credits per semester) until the dissertation is completed. Pre-requisite: EDDL 801

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EDDL 803 Dissertation Research

2 hours

Students are required to take a minimum of 8 semester credits for dissertation work (typically spread across fall/spring semesters of Year 3). If the student has not finished the dissertation in this timeframe, the candidate must stay continuously enrolled in dissertation credits (2 credits per semester) until the dissertation is completed. Pre-Requisite:EDDL 802. Can be enrolled concurrently with EDDL 802 with the permission of the Doctor of Education Program director.

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EDDL 805 Dissertation Research

1-2 hours

Required of doctoral level students who did not complete their dissertation research in EDDL 800-803. Credit hours to be determined by dissertation chair regarding time to completion.

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EDDL 806 ISDiP Research

4 hours

In this course, improvement science dissertation in practice (ISDiP) candidates work with their key organizational stakeholders to determine the fit and feasibility of their improvement science project proposal from their 797 course. Consistent with the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) model, they will lead collaboration with a Networked Improvement Community (NIC), including collecting, analyzing, and acting on necessary data in order to improve outcomes in student learning, staff performance, school processes, or stakeholder perceptions. Expected course deliverables over the 60-90 day cycle include sharing and consistently updating a portfolio of NIC session logistics and outcomes, including relevant analysis of frameworks, systems, causes, measures, and participant knowledge with the 806 ISDiP Director. Prerequisites: EDDL 796, 797, 798 and 799.

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EDDL 807 ISDiP Accountability

4 hours

ISDiP candidates will write up a formal document that encapsulates the preceding ISDiP research. This document must adhere to the formatting requirements in the EDD Dissertations Handbook. Candidates will then submit the edited draft to the 807 Director. Once approved, the candidate will prepare and record a professional presentation using the Handbook's requirements, which the 807 Director will upload to an EDD YouTube site. This will be shared with the EDD Guild and community, consisting of alumni, faculty, and friends of the GFU community. After a period of 15 days from upload, the candidate will use the presentation feedback to craft a Reflection section that concludes the ISDiP; this is an opportunity to combine the wisdom of the crowd with the candidate's learning journey. Prerequisite: EDDL 806.

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