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=Methods in Social Studies Education - Fall 2010=

ABOUT THE COURSE
This course is an introduction to the methods and strategies involved in the teaching of social studies. The course design assumes that all teachers strive to engage students in meaningful experiences that bridge the study of concepts with the community of learners in the classroom. As you prepare to enter the classroom as a teacher, it's important to develop theoretical stances to support your methods and strategies. Part of the working together in the course is designed to involve you in developing and supporting your stances and to 'operationalize' the theories you encounter. The main areas of content focus in social studies education are geography, sociology, history, political science, and economics.

REQUIREMENTS:
Shared readings will be provided as well as a supplementary reading list, and web resources on the course web site. Use of the Harriet Irving Library is essential.

EXPECTATIONS:
Classes in the course are interactive and discussion-oriented.
 * 1) You will benefit from and contribute to the class by being there. In most cases it is impossible for class presentations, and other in-class work to be postponed or “made up”.
 * 2) Incomplete or late work will effect the final grade.It is expected that all assignments will be handed in on time. Assignments will not be excepted by email but in order not to loose marks an assignment may be send as an email attachment as proof of completion and then handed in as hard copy when you return.
 * 3) Most assignments will also be submitted in electronic format on the course wikispace. This means that your work can be shared with classmates.
 * 4) Photocopying funds will be required for articles and lesson plan presentations.

GOAL
The primary course goal is to study effective methods and strategies for teaching social studies.

OBJECTIVES
The specific course objectives are for you to — • be aware of the content areas that comprise social studies and the extent to which each of these play a part in social studies education; • be knowledgeable of instructional resources as well as instructional strategies for teaching social studies; • be familiar with local and national social studies curriculum currently in place in schools; • experience planning for teaching by working on curriculum units and developing lesson plans; • be actively involved in showcasing instructional strategies for the social studies classroom.

===University Regulations [|regulations.pdf]=== > withdrawal from Aquinas, dismissal from course, repeating courses
 * 1) Residence Discipline
 * 2) Course Regulations - class attendance and class cancellation, withdrawal from course,
 * 1) Evaluation and Grading - evaluation of students' performance, grading system
 * 2) Academic Standing - good standing, academic probation, academic dismissal, application for readmission
 * 3) Academic Misconduct - cheating, plagiarism, procedures
 * 4) Withdrawal from University
 * 5) Appeal Procedures - exemptions, appeal of final grade in course, academic grievance procedures