Social Studies Education (B.S.E.)

81 hours, Professional Education Minor included

This degree is designed as preparation for those who plan to obtain a certificate to teach social studies in grades 6-12. The state of Oklahoma requires teacher education to be competency based; thus, this degree aims at providing students with the knowledge and skills to achieve competency in the various social studies. The program requires a minimum total of 48 hours distributed among all of the following fields: American history, world history, historical research, Oklahoma history, government, economics, and geography. Historical research is not a teaching area, but six hours are required for the degree.

An OC graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies Education will:

1. Have a broad knowledge of the fundamentals of social studies, including American and world history, political science, economics, and geography.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of history and knowledge of basic research techniques, the use of documents, and the handling of evidence as part of a Christian worldview.
3. Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking through effective communication of independent research.
4. Understand and employ principles of effective teaching.
5. See teaching as an opportunity for Christian service as well as a vocation.

Students must complete a minimum of 122 hours including the major, core, and minor if required. Elective hours may be needed to reach 122 hours.

6 HOURS REQUIRED AMERICAN HISTORY

• HIST-2213 History of the U.S. to 1877
• HIST-2223 History of the U.S. Since 1877

3 HOURS WORLD CIVILIZATION CHOSEN FROM

• HIST-2823 World Civilization to 1500
• HIST-2833 World Civilization Since 1500

6 HOURS RESEARCH COURSES

• Both courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or better
• HIST-2123 Introduction to Historical Research
• HIST-4733 Historiography

3 HOURS U.S. HISTORY ELECTIVE

6 HOURS UPPER-DIVISION AMERICAN HISTORY COURSES

9 HOURS WORLD HISTORY ELECTIVES

• Must include 6 hours numbered 3000 or above

3 HOURS OKLAHOMA HISTORY

• HIST-2313 Oklahoma History

3 HOURS GEOGRAPHY

• GEOG-2213 World Regional Geography

3 HOURS ECONOMICS

• ECON-2113 Macroeconomic Principles

6 HOURS POLITICAL SCIENCE

• POLS-2113 Introduction to American Government
• POLS-2413 Comparative Politics

Professional Education Minor

25 HOURS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

• EDUC-3121 Orientation to Teacher Education
• EDUC-3122 The School in American Culture
• EDUC-3131 Classroom Management Strategies I
• EDUC-3213 Learning, Instruction, and Assessment
• EDUC-3421 Educational Technology
• EDUC-3723 Education of the Exceptional Child
• EDUC-4013 Human Relations and Cultural Awareness
• EDUC-4131 Applied Instructional and Assessment Strategies
• EDUC-4231 Critical Issues in Education
• EDUC-4331 Classroom Management Strategies II
• EDUC-4718 Student Teaching in the Secondary Schools

5 HOURS OTHER COURSES

• EDUC-4112 Literacy in the Secondary Content Areas
• PSYC-2523 Developmental Psychology

3 HOURS METHODS

• EDUC-4473 Methods of Teaching Social Studies in Secondary Schools

FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMPETENCY - CHOOSE ONE:

• High school foreign language - 2 years of same foreign language with a grade of “C” or better OR university credit - 3 hours foreign language or American Sign language with a grade of “C” or better