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The Social Studies Education Program prepares candidates to teach social studies in grades 9 12. The program requires a major in history (39 semester hours) and the completion of the six course requirements for a social studies concentration by taking the following: ECO 220-Fundamentals of Economics, GEO 221-World Geography, HIS 204-Latin American History and Geography, PS 111-American Government, HIS 202-North Carolina History and Government, and SOC 111-Introduction to Sociology, and the completion of a series of prescribed professional courses, including student teaching. In addition to these major, concentration, and professional courses, candidates for licensure will also take, as part of their general studies requirements, Psychology 111 and Computer Science 200.

The Social Studies Education Program includes the following goals:

1. To provide prospective social studies teachers with a general and liberal education that equips them to be effective teachers and responsible citizens in an increasingly complex, interdependent, and multicultural world.

2. To provide prospective social studies teachers with advanced studies in history that leads to a broad range of knowledge of their discipline, to the sense of perspective that comes from mastering a discipline in depth, and to an understanding of the methods by which knowledge is gained in the discipline of history.

3. To provide prospective teachers with a broad acquaintance with the basic knowledge of the social studies disciplines, an understanding of how knowledge is gained and applied in these disciplines, and the interdisciplinary nature inherent in social studies.

4. To provide prospective social studies teachers with the professional knowledge and training and the pre-professional experiences that will enable them to become effective teachers in our schools.

Candidates who successfully complete the Social Studies Education Program demonstrate the following:

1. Mastery of the following content standards prescribed by the State of North Carolina for social studies teachers:

A. The major themes, concepts, chronologies, and interpretations of U. S. history.

B. The major themes, concepts, chronologies, and interpretations of European history.

C. The major themes, concepts, chronologies, and interpretations of World history.

D. Awareness of and the ability to interpret current events.

E. The importance of global interdependence.

F. How societies attempt to meet their economic goals.

G. Knowledge and understanding of the American economic system.

H. Knowledge and understanding of the functions of government.

I. Knowledge and understanding of the foundations, structure, and functions of American government at the local, state (NC), national, and international levels.

J. Knowledge and understanding of physical geography.

K. Knowledge and understanding of political, economic, and cultural geography.

L. Knowledge of social institutions and their influence.

2. Mastery of the following pedagogical standards prescribed by the State of North Carolina for social studies teachers:

A. Knowledge and usage of a variety of communication techniques and materials used in social studies classes.

B. Knowledge and usage of the interdisciplinary nature of the social studies, including those aspects that relate to the humanities, science, and math.

C. Knowledge and usage of appropriate technologies and skills for use in the social studies classroom.

D. Knowledge and usage of the North Carolina Social Studies Standard Course of Study and the National Council of Social Studies standards.

E. Knowledge and usage of appropriate teaching methods, including learning environments, learning styles, diversity, disciplinary content, technology, and the variety of social studies materials.

F. Knowledge and usage of appropriate tools for assessment, including the variety of assessment instruments and methods utilized in social studies education.

G. Knowledge and understanding of diversity among students and the inherent value that diversity brings to a social studies classroom.

3. Mastery of the following professional standards prescribed by the state of North Carolina for social studies teachers:

A. Knowledge and understanding of the professional responsibilities social studies teachers have not only in the classroom and school, but also in their communities and the larger world.

B. Knowledge and understanding of the social studies teacher's role as a Teacher Professional by involving his/her students in activities outside of the classroom, participating in policymaking decisions within the school, collaborating with other teachers in social studies and other disciplines, and participating in civic activities.

C. Knowledge and understanding of the professional responsibilities social studies teachers have to the social studies discipline and their active participation in professional development of their discipline and teaching.

D. Knowledge and understanding of the professional role social studies teachers have in serving as an advocate for the inclusion of social studies in the curriculum.