MUED 6974 - Contemporary Curriculum Development
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43367,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Kate Ferguson
Email: keferguson@ysu.edu
Course Description
6974. Contemporary Curriculum Development. This course builds understanding and skill in designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating music curriculum with special attention to culturally responsive approaches that value inclusivity and diverse musical practices. Topics include conceptual frameworks, planning processes, pedagogical approaches, teaching and learning tools, assessment, and creative strategies for incorporating non-traditional content and practices into existing programs. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Culturally Responsive Teaching in Music Eduction | Constance McCoym Vicki Lind | 9781032076522 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Ch. 1 & 2 (Culture & Teacher Identity) | Curriculum Foundations and Vision | Course Vision Snapshot (visual, slide, or narrative doc) Identify course context, students, setting, and “why” |
| 8/31 | Ch. 3 & 4 (Teacher/Learner Intersection) | What Matters Most? Values, Priorities and Goals | Write a teaching philosophy and define 2–3 guiding goals Reflect on how your philosophy shows up in your daily teaching |
| 9/7 | Ch. 4, 6, & 7 (Student Identity, School Culture, Community) | Designing for Real Students | Create a learner profile or “student map” + school culture response Identify barriers or supports your students face |
| 9/14 | Ch. 5 (Applications in the Classroom) | Content, Standards and Unit Planning | Submit 1 unit outline with materials, goals, and learning experiences What inspired your content selections and how did you adapt for your students? |
| 9/21 | *Supplemental:* NAfME or Wiggins/McTighe | Assessment and Feedback That Matters | Submit 2 assessments (rubric, reflection, or product-based) with brief rationale Share a tool you’ve used before and what worked/didn’t |
| 9/28 | Revisit Ch. 5 (plus optional teacher blog or MEJ piece) | Planning That Works: Pacing, Materials and Methods | Create a semester pacing calendar or toolkit (playlist, apps, activities) What’s one new tool you’ll try next semester and why? |
| 10/5 | Ch. 8 (Vision for the Future) | Bringing It All Together: Final Project and Reflection | Final curriculum project + optional 2-min recorded overview or screencast Reflect: “What changed about my thinking during this course?” |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.