Social Studies Education (Secondary) (SSES)

The course focuses on instructional materials and teaching strategies for teaching history and secondary social studies. There is an emphasis on social justice and teaching with documents. Students are required to complete a resource file, unit of study, and several short papers. Also, students will complete the Intermediate Performance assessment in this course.

This course builds on the foundation prepared in SSES 3278: Issues Teaching Secondary Social Studies. The purpose is to develop an understanding of teaching the four major content areas of the social studies (history, geography, economics, and civics and government). The goal is to help prepare candidates to teach these areas in terms of designing curriculum and assessment; adapting strategies from the field; and considering innovative ways to teach by drawing on available resources. The course will cover the important theories of social education and the developmental course of learning history, economics, civics, geography, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Woven throughout the class will be a discussion of culture and diversity as adolescents encounter the world and prepare for full citizenship and to enter the workforce. SSES 4278 includes a 1-credit field experience. Students are expected to participate in level two fieldwork in a school setting for 30 hours that addresses one or more of the content areas of social studies (history, geography, economics, civics, psychology, anthropology, and/or sociology). Through field experiences, readings, projects and papers, and class discussions the following questions will be addressed: How will we prepare adolescents for a world in which respect for the environment, diversity, and the principles of democracy have become increasingly important? How can activities be developed that embody the principles of adolescents' concept development in the social studies? How can we create learning experiences that include and value all students' backgrounds? NOTE: Clearances required.

This course is available for students interested in becoming eligible for certification at the 7-12 level in social studies. Content covered includes theoretical propositions underlying pedagogical approaches; issues in diversity and social justice in the classroom; and instructional materials and teaching strategies for secondary social studies. A special project is required. Contact a social studies adviser for further information.

This course focuses on applied social studies methods; the course objectives are (1) that pre-service social studies teachers will learn about the rich resources found at museums, archives, and historic sites and (2) that they will have an opportunity to apply what they have learned in the program to developing curricular materials. There is a required field experience for which students are placed at Philadelphia area cultural institutions. Students will be developing collections and curriculum materials for schools and teachers in general and for National History Day. Class time will be devoted to strengthening and supporting the field experience.