Social Studies
Faculty
R. Berglee, R. Caric, V. Craig, K. DuRocher, J. Ernst, J. Hennen,J. Holcomb, T. Kiffmeyer, A. Mandzy, J. Masterson, I. N'Diaye,
G. O'Dell, E. Ratajeski, A. Scott
Program Competencies
Students are expected to possess:
- The capacity to teach at the secondary level in at least three social studies disciplines, including history.
- Awareness of the social, political, and economic systems that comprise contemporary societies as well as the growing interdependencies between societies as mediated by a global economy and shared concern for the physical environment.
- The ability to integrate and synthesize knowledge across disciplinary boundaries in order to accumulate realistic understanding of global, national, and local issues.
- The ability to recognize and value the varied nature of the human condition across individuals and culture groups through the practice of social/historical analysis.
- The ability to express methods of social science investigation, conduct original studies, and present findings of those investigations in written and oral format.
- The ability to assess and use electronic databases, information sites, and various online resources, and to use various instructional and presentation programs.
Assessment Procedures
National Teachers Examination (PRAXIS)
Performance during professional semester
Capstone course
Bachelor of Arts
The Area of Concentration in Social Studies prepares students for teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 8 through 12) in at least four social studies teaching fields. There is no non-teaching program. This program aligns with trends in teacher certification that foster streamlining of certification requirements and procedures. A minimum of nine semester hours in a teaching field is required for certification in Kentucky. This program consists of 60 hours of credit in history and related social sciences. Students should work closely with an advisor to receive approval for the exact content of their program of study in this area of concentration.
Area of Concentration in Social Studies
General Education Requirements |
48 |
See general education requirements for the University.
History Component |
27 |
HIS 201 — Global Studies |
3 |
HIS 202 — American Studies |
3 |
HIS 210 — Early World Civilization or 300 level European or Nonwestern History |
3 |
HIS 220 — Early American History |
3 |
*HIS 250 — Practicing History |
3 |
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
Geography, Government, and Economics
The student must complete the three clusters listed.
Geography |
15 |
GEO 101 — Physical Geography |
3 |
GEO 201 — Map Interpretation and Analysis |
3 |
GEO 300 — World Geography |
3 |
Electives from GEO |
6 |
Government |
12 |
GOVT 141 — United States Government |
3 |
GOVT 180 — Introduction to Political Theory or |
|
GOVT 242 — State and Local Government or |
|
GOVT 230 — Introduction to Comparative Politics |
3 |
3 |
|
3 |
|
Economics |
6 |
ECON 101 — Introduction to Economics |
3 |
ECON 201 — Principles of Macroeconomics or |
|
ECON 202 — Principles of Microeconomics |
3 |
Content Methods Component |
6 |
**HIS 499D — Teaching Social Studies |
3 |
**HIS 451 — Curriculum and Instruction for Social Studies |
3 |
**Offered fall semesters only; must be completed prior to professional semester.
*HIS 250 will satisfy the GOVT 289 prerequisite for advanced courses in government (applies to social studies students only).
Additional Constraints:
Students are permitted to use only one course in the major or minor from each of the following pairs:
- HIS 322 — Appalachia or HIS 323 — Kentucky
- HIS 311 — Native American History, or
HIS 321 — The American Frontier