500

This seminar explores current issues and trends in social studies education within the contexts of education generally and American society. Students will examine the development of social studies historically with special emphasis on the last several decades. Prerequisite(s): None 3 semester hours

This course examines the ways that people have interacted with the natural environment over time in different places related to the social studies curriculum in grades 6-12, especially world history and culture and American history. Through readings, discussion, and written assignments that include instructional planning and implementation, students will learn how human-environmental interaction affected the history, geography, political systems, economic systems, and social systems of various cultures. Learning content and applying it to the classroom is stressed. Prerequisite(s): None 3 semester hours

From an international perspective, this course explores various topics and themes related to the teaching of world history and cultures in grades 6-12. Students will learn important world history and cultures concepts and content through readings, discussion, and written assignments that include instructional planning and implementation. Learning content and applying it to classroom instruction is stressed. Prerequisite(s): None 3 semester hours

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop a research project on a topic related to democracy and diversity. The interplay between these two concepts has been a major dynamic in the development of the United States and a primary theme of the study and teaching of American history and culture. Learning content, conducting professional social science research, and applying findings to curriculum and instruction will be stressed. Prerequisite(s): None 3 semester hours

In this course, students will conduct research on the interplay between technology and innovation. The interplay between these two concepts has been a major dynamic in the development of the world and an increasingly prominent theme in the study and teaching of history and culture. Learning content, conducting professional social science research, and applying findings to curriculum and instruction will be stressed. Prerequisite(s): None 3 semester hours

This course explores significant content topics and themes related to the teaching of United States history and cultures in grades 6-12. Students will learn important history and cultures concepts and content through readings, discussion, and written and/or media assignments that include instructional planning and implementation. The emphasis is on learning disciplinary content and applying it to classroom instruction that accommodates the needs to build literacy, thinking, and communication abilities as well as to infuse technology into instruction, to differentiate instruction, to meet standards, and to assess all aspects of the teaching and learning process, especially student performance. Prerequisite(s): Six semester hours of U S History courses. 3 semester hours

This course explores various topics related to the teaching of local community history and culture in grades 6-12. Local community is defined as the neighborhood and the municipal form of government, most particularly suburb or city, Special emphasis is placed on the city of Chicago and the surrounding metropolitan area. Students will learn important history and cultural concepts and content through development of curricular materials and activities. Prerequisite(s): None. 2 semester hours

1-4 semester hours

1-4 semester hours

1-4 semester hours

This course provides factual knowledge, along with direct observational experiences, and the honing of reflective and interpretive skills for understanding and teaching Mexican Americans, the largest language minority group in the United States, through their heritage culture: ancient Mesoamerican and the history, cultures, and geography of Mexico. The course begins with an orientation and class meetings in the United States (e.g., Chicago). Then participants travel as investigative explorers to Mexico where the coursework continues, and they learn to relate their knowledge to intercultural education and communication with Mexican Americans in the United States. 1-4 semester hours

Issues, perspectives, and practices in different cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic learning environments are identified and compared. 1-3 semester hours

Provides the student with the opportunity to explore current or specialized topics in the field of social science education. 1-4 semester hours