This course introduces students to the art and science of teaching special education as they study the historical, philosophical, political, and legal foundations of education in America. Students also reflect on themselves as teachers, extend and evaluate their personal philosophies of education, and explore their position on major issues, concerns, and challenges in schools today and for the future. Included are tools related to survival pedagogy including classroom management, introduction to general methods for effective lesson planning and teaching, usage of state frameworks and academic content standards, application of learning theory to student success, identification of appropriate teaching strategies for special needs students and English language learners, and the application of technology as a tool to support teaching and learning. This course is specifically designed for direct application of learning to the classroom by special education intern teachers in a collaborative context implementing inclusion. Prerequisite: Admission to special education program