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 credits)
Historical Perspectives (15 credits)
| 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 that count toward a History major); see "Scholarship List" requirement below | 3 |
Government (12 credits)
| POL-100 | American Government | 3 |
| POL-230 | World Politics | 3 |
-
| or | |
| POL-232 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
POL-
| Elective | 3 |
POL-
| Elective (300-400 level): see "Scholarship List" requirement below | 3 |
Psychology (12 credits)
| 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 |
EDU-240, PSY-150 and PSY-276: These courses duplicate general education or professional education requirements.
Sociology (9 credits)
| SOC-150 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
-
| 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 credits)
| ECO-213 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECO-212 | Microeconomics | 3 |
ECO-
| Elective (300-400 level): see "Scholarship List" requirement below | 3 |
ECO-213: This course duplicates general education or professional education requirements.
Geography (3 credits)
| GEO-202 | Political and Cultural Geography | 3 |
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.
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.
