Overview
The B.S. in Social Studies Education gives students knowledge of and appreciation for the complexity and diversity of human history, cultural traditions, and cross-cultural interaction, as well as expertise in reading critically, researching carefully, thinking rigorously, writing persuasively, and teaching social studies effectively. Through the study of the institutions, values, systems, leaders, and the interrelatedness of historical peoples and nations, students will acquire the skills and knowledge needed to understand the present, engage contemporary challenges, and address future problems. Students will investigate social studies problems, identify reliable sources, provide evidence for a position, contextualize information, and understand past events and actors from multiple perspectives, and all through the lens of a Christian worldview.
Successfully completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Social Studies Education prepares the graduate to become a South Carolina-certified secondary (grades 9-12) Social Studies teacher. Jointly supported by the College of Education, the close advisement and rigorous coursework of this program prepares students to meet all state requirements for certification. In addition to the program explained below, prospective teachers must pass the state-mandated PRAXIS exams to earn South Carolina certification. PRAXIS exams are the responsibility of the student, but the advisor will review and remind students about exemptions and requirements.
During the fourth semester of coursework, students must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program is required before taking many of the required EDUC courses. Listed below are the admission requirements:
General Admission Requirements To NGU Secondary Education Program:
-Pass the PRAXIS CORE exam (or meet the state’s SAT or ACT equivalency score). Students must pass all parts of PRAXIS CORE by March 1 of their sophomore year to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program for fall course enrollment in teacher education courses. Failure to pass all parts of PRAXIS CORE will result in delay of entrance into the Teacher Education Program.
-Complete a minimum of forty-five (45) credit hours.
-Earn a C or higher in ENGL-1310, ENGL-1320, COMM-2300, and all EDUC courses.
-Maintain an overall GPA of 2.75
-Submit an application for admission which includes Assessment of Dispositions (AOD) forms from two faculty members.
-Be approved by the faculty of the College of Education and the Teacher Education Committee.
Additional admission requirements for the BS in Social Studies Education:
-Follow the suggested Course Sequence.
-Attain a grade of C or higher in HIST-2360 to enroll in 3000- and 4000-level HIST courses.
-To graduate, Social Studies Education majors must also complete HIST-1350, HIST-1385, HIST-2310, HIST-2320, and HIST-4390 with a grade of C or higher.
Extracurricular Activities during Student Teaching
No extracurricular activities, including athletic practices, games, and musical performances, are to interfere with the student teaching period."
Middle School Add-On
To include a Middle School add-on endorsement, take the Middle School Curriculum and Organization course (EDSE-3310) and pass the Middle School Praxis test in your content area. Students must declare endorsement with Academic Records.
Degree Requirements
Core Curriculum
Required Courses
Literature
Choose one course from the list below.
Fine Arts
Choose one course from the list below.
| ARTS-1300 | Engaging the Arts Through Visual Arts | 3 |
| COMM-1320 | Engaging the Arts Through Film | 3 |
| MUSC-1300 | Engaging the Arts Through Music | 3 |
| THTR-1300 | Engaging the Arts Through Theatre | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 44 |
Major Requirements
Major Electives
Western History
Choose three courses from the list below.
Non-Western History
Choose two courses from the list below.
Notes: History courses are divided into Western History and Non-Western History, though some courses (such as Latin America courses and US-Middle East Relations) can count as either.
| Total Degree Requirements |
131 |
Mission Statement and Outcomes
The Social Studies Education B.S. provides a strong foundation in historical research and writing, social studies, and education. This background equips students to pursue a career in teaching social studies in secondary education. All this preparation occurs in the framework of a Christian worldview.
Outcomes for the program include:
1. Students will be able to identify and explain relationships between major events, key developments, prominent individuals, and influential ideas in Western Civilization.
2. Students will be able to identify and explain relationships between major events, key developments, prominent individuals, and influential ideas in United States history.
3. Students will be able to analyze historical and political events from a Christian worldview.
4. Students will be able to construct a history research paper with a clear, coherent, and convincing argument in support of a thesis on a topic of historical significance.
5. Students will be able to construct a clear, coherent, and convincing thesis about the historiography of a topic in United States history that is included in the South Carolina high school Social Studies standards.
6. Students will be able to use educational theory and research to improve their social studies knowledge and to inform their design of instruction.
7. All SSE students will earn a grade no lower than South Carolina’s minimum passing score on the PRAXIS exam #5086 (aka PRAXIS II).