Social Studies - B.S. and Social Studies Education - B.S.

Purpose

The Social Studies major is offered by the Department of History and Political Science. The Social Studies major serves primarily as preparation toward teaching social studies in the senior high/junior high/middle schools and also serves as preparation for research and graduate study. Social studies majors desiring certified teaching credentials need to declare a Social Studies Education (SSE) major. (See also the education section of the catalog.) A major in Social Studies Education (SSE) with a minor in Psychology is an excellent combination for those desiring to take a master's degree in counseling and guidance in order to become guidance counselors in the secondary schools. Social Studies Education (SSE) majors often earn a second major in Economics, History, International Relations, or Political Science.

The Social Studies (SOS) major may be taken without teaching requirements by those who desire a broad exposure to the different fields of social science. This major often serves as a companion double major with Economics, History, International Relations, and Political Science.

General Education Competencies

Completed in consultation with the Division of Education (if SSE) and in reference to the general education requirements and competencies section under the Division of Social Sciences.

Major Requirements

The Social Studies Education (SSE) major and the non-teaching Social Studies (SOS) major are 60 hours. The major includes required and elective courses in six social science disciplines: History, Geography, Government, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology. Students majoring in either of these programs must complete one year of American history survey, one year of world history survey (rather than HST-180), and three hours of upper-level history electives; American Government, Comparative Politics or World Politics, and six hours of political science electives, at least three hours of which must be upper-level; twelve hours in psychology as specified below; nine hours in sociology; Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and three additional upper-level hours in economics; and Political and Cultural Geography. Students majoring in SSE should complete at least three courses, in different disciplines, from the "Scholarship List." These upper-level courses include a significant writing component evaluated by a common rubric.

Requirements

60

Historical Perspectives

15

HST-185

Foundations of Civilization to 1648

3

HST-190

The West and the World after 1648

3

HST-211

American Civilization to 1865

3

HST-212

American Civilization after 1865

3

HST

Elective (300 or 400 level; to identify possible courses, see catalog course descriptions for courses which count toward a history major); see "Scholarship List" requirement below

3

Government

 

12

POL-100

American Government

3

POL-230

World Politics OR

 

POL-232

Comparative Politics

3

POL

Elective

3

POL

Elective (300 or 400 level) see "Scholarship List" requirement below

3

Psychology

 

12

EDU-240

Educational Psychology*

3

PSY-150

General Psychology*

3

PSY-276

Psychology of the Exceptional Learner*

3

PSY

Elective (300-400 level) see "Scholarship List" requirement below

3

Sociology

 

9

SOC-150

Principles of Sociology OR

 

SOC-210

Minority Group Relations

3

SOC

Elective (upper or lower level)

3

SOC

Elective (300-400 level) see "Scholarship List" requirement below

3

Economics

 

9

ECO-213

Macroeconomics *

3

ECO-212

Microeconomics

3

ECO

Elective (300-400 level) see "Scholarship List" requirement below

3

Geography

 

3

GEO-202

Political and Cultural Geography

3

*These courses duplicate general education or professional education requirements.

Scholarship List Requirement

Among content course electives listed above, SSE majors are required to complete at least three upper-level courses (300-400 level) from the "Scholarship List," each in a different content discipline: History, Government (Political Science), Psychology, Sociology, or Economics. Course instructors have agreed to include a writing-intensive, research-based, rubric-assessed assignment, the results of which are vital to program assessment. A list of courses currently on the "Scholarship List" can be obtained from the department or the SSE degree audit. Any upper-level course is potentially a "Scholarship" course, but the instructor must first consult the department, obtain a copy of the rubric, and agree to provide the assessment.

Course descriptions are available through the Course Description Lookup.

Declaring and Maintaining a Social Studies Major

In order to pursue a non-teaching Social Studies (SOS) major, students need to consult with the coordinator of the Department of History and Political Science and then declare a Social Studies (SOS) major in the Registrar's Office. Students majoring in Social Studies must maintain no less than a 2.25 GPA.

Declaring and Maintaining a Social Studies Education Major

Students desiring certification to teach social studies in the senior high/junior high/middle schools (grades 5-12) must take a Social Studies Education (SSE) major. In order to pursue a Social Studies Education (SSE) major, students need to consult with the coordinator of the Department of History and Political Science and with the director of secondary education in the Division of Education and then declare a Social Studies Education (SSE) major in the Registrar's Office. Students majoring in Social Studies Education (SSE) must maintain no less than a 2.75 cumulative GPA and no less than a 3.00 major GPA in social studies education.