Introduction to Curriculum, Syllabus

Far-Western University

Faculty of Education

B.Ed. in Education

Course Title: Introduction to Curriculum

Semester: 7th

Course No.: Ed.Cur.471

Credit Hours: 3

Level: Undergraduate

Nature of the course: Theory

1. Course description

The course is intended to orient prospective students about the concept of curriculum, principles, process and procedures of curriculum design and development. The students will be informed about the objectives, selection of contents, its scope and outcomes, teaching strategies, and design of instructional materials. This course will also include various factors that affect the process of curriculum development and implementation. The students will learn about traditional and progressive points of view curriculum. This course gives students the opportunity to develop in depth-understanding of the central idea of curriculum. Furthermore this course will enable structure of curriculum and plan and develop curriculum to meet the needs and demands of the times. Finally the course enables students to understand the curriculum implementation and evaluation.

2. General Objectives

On implementation of this course, the students will be able to:

• Describe the meaning, purpose, and types of curriculum.
• Understand the concept of curriculum.
• Explain the different point of view in curriculum.
• Differentiate between different types of curriculum.Gain awareness of curriculum design and development.
• Examine the components of the curriculum development process.
• Learn the skills and knowledge to translate intended curriculum into practice.
• Understand curriculum development process in Nepal.
• Discuss curriculum implementation and evaluation process.

3. Content with specification objectives

Specification objectives	Content
To introduce curriculum. To explain different points of view on curriculum. To classify orientation to curriculum. To list curriculum operating in the schools. To describe characterization of curriculum. To discuss need and importance of curriculum.	Unit One – Concept of curriculum(7) 1.1. Introduction of curriculum:Background, Meaning and Definition of curriculum.) 1.2. Curriculum from different points of view(Traditional and progressive points of view) 1.3. Orientation to curriculum(child centred, society centred, knowledge centred and eclectic) 1.4. Types of curriculum operating in the schools (written, taught and learned curriculum.) 1.5. Characterization of curriculum. 1.6. Need and importance of curriculum.
To describe elements of curriculum. To link elements of curriculum. To introduce new taxonomy of objectives.	Unit two: Elements of curriculum(6) 2.1. Introduction to elements of curriculum. 2.2. Elements of curriculum: (Objective, content, teaching learning strategies, evaluation) 2.3. Interrelation among elements of curriculum. 2.4. New taxonomy of objectives(in brief)
To describe forms of curriculum design. To explain dimensions of curriculum design.	Unit Three: Curriculum Design(6) 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Forms of curriculum design(Subject centred: subject, discipline and broad field design, Learner centred: child centred, experience centred and humanistic design, Problem centred: life situation and core curriculum) 3.3. Dimensions and principles of curriculum design(Scope; Sequence: simple to complex, prerequisite learning, whole to part, chronological learning, Continuity, Integration, Articulation and Balance)
To introduce curriculum design. To discuss determinants of curriculum. To illustrate foundation of curriculum. To explain models of curriculum development. Illustrate concept and practice of local curriculum in school education.	Unit four: Curriculum Development(12) 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Determinants of curriculum(Basic need, Societal aspects, Cultural factors, individual talents, Ideals: intellectual, moral, aesthetic, religious, etc and Tradition) 4.3. Foundation of curriculum (Philosophical, historical, psychological and social foundation of curriculum) 4.4. Models of curriculum development (R. W. Tyler’s and Hilda Taba’s model) 4.5. School level curriculum(subject and weightage only) 4.6. Local curriculum (concept and practice in school education)
To discuss approaches of CI To elucidate strategies of CI To list factor affecting CI To explain models of curriculum evaluation	Unit five: Curriculum implementation and Evaluation(5) 5.1. Curriculum implementation 5.1.1. Approaches of curriculum implementation 5.1.2. Strategies of implementation curriculum 5.1.3. Factors affecting curriculum implementation 5.2. Curriculum Evaluation 5.2.1. Models of curriculumevaluation: Stufflebeam (CIPP Model) and Provus (Disrepancy model)
To prepare a project report on school curriculum evaluation and present report in the classroom.	Unit Six: Curriculum Evaluation(8) 6.1. Project work on curriculum evaluation (in a group)