E-learning @ AUA

Course Description: This course examines the history of Armenia, its land and people. The course will cover history from antiquity to the early modern age (beginning of the 16th century). The course examines the geopolitical, economic, religious and socio-cultural development of Armenia and explores the relationship between Armenia and other countries. Students will critically examine historical events, processes, actors, and models of history writing. Students will work individually and in groups to integrate evidence from various sources in order to develop a greater understanding of Armenian history. Instructor-led discussions.

This course examines the history of Armenia, its land and people beginning with the early modern age through the establishment of the modern Republic of Armenia and renewed independence in the 21th century.  Students will explore Armenian history in its geopolitical, economic, religious and socio-cultural contexts. Students will critically examine historical events, processes, actors, and models of history writing. Students will conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources to analyze issues through a comparative lens and evaluate and synthesize evidence and arguments from various disciplines. Students will analyze Armenia’s history in a global context in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities for development.  Instructor-led discussions.

This course examines the history of Armenia, its land and people beginning with the early modern age through the establishment of the modern Republic of Armenia and renewed independence in the 21th century.  Students will explore Armenian history in its geopolitical, economic, religious and socio-cultural contexts. Students will critically examine historical events, processes, actors, and models of history writing. Students will conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources to analyze issues through a comparative lens and evaluate and synthesize evidence and arguments from various disciplines. Students will analyze Armenia’s history in a global context in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities for development.  Instructor-led discussions.

Students enrolled in TEFL 393 prepare for Comprehensive Exams, one of the capstone options available for MA TEFL students. Comprehensive Exams consist of two 3-hour examination sessions administered over two days. They take place on campus and are scheduled in the students’ last term of study at AUA. Students attend an initial orientation session, receive detailed exam guidelines, including dates, times, and location of the comprehensive exams, a reading list, and sample exam questions. This course does not meet face-to-face on a regular basis, but will include an initial meeting and additional sessions as needed. Students are strongly encouraged to form study groups and use all the materials provided to them to prepare for the comprehensive exams. 

In this course, students will implement their capstone projects, which depending on the project, may include data collection and analysis, development and piloting of materials. In the process, they will have a few face-to-face class sessions, meet with their Capstone Committee or adviser on a regular basis, and write an MA Thesis or MA Design Project. In addition to the written work, students will present their final capstone publicly. The course does not meet face-to-face on a regular basis.

This course introduces students to theoretical principles and current practices of teaching and assessing learners of English starting from preschool until teenage years. The course also covers fundamentals of bi- and multi-lingual education. Practical course assignments include observations, material development, and teaching. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.

Once viewed primarily as a domain studying computer-mediated means of learning and teaching languages, this field has expanded to include new tools such as mobile and cloud technologies, and social media. This course will survey current trends and best practices in new technologies specific to the TEFL field. It will provide an overview of related theory and practice in the areas of social media and networks, digital video and storytelling, digital games, 3D virtual worlds, mobile technologies, distance and open education, open educational resources, and cloud computing specific to TEFL. Students will engage in research, hands-on, and material development projects to enhance their practical skills of using technologies for teaching purposes. They will also learn how to harness the strengths of new technologies to become life-long learners in their profession. Students are expected to be conversant in Internet and basics of second language acquisition.

This course explores the various theories that scholars and researchers have put forward concerning second language acquisition, or how people learn languages.  Since it is language learning that is being examined, it is important to understand what language is.  Linguistics explores this question, and hence, this course draws to some extent on insights from linguistics.  In addition, as people and learning have both social and psychological dimensions, the course also draws on insights from sociology and psychology.  In other words, SLA is an inter-disciplinary subject that draws on all three disciplines, as well as the sub-disciplines and research areas that inter-relate them. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.

This graduate seminar provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical tools and skills necessary to successfully manage nonprofit organizations. This course begins with a historical overview of the nonprofit sector and demonstrates its complex structure. The course then explores various aspects of nonprofit management such as organizational creation, strategic planning, performance evaluation, board governance, executive leadership, human resources, finance, advocacy, and collaboration. Students will learn to analyze and assess best practices in non-profit management, compare and contrast how similar management concepts are applied to non-profit and for-profit setting, and learn to appreciate current controversies and areas of debate.