Instr Techniq Soc St w/Field

Catalog description

This course introduces graduate level teacher candidates to key theories, philosophies, core concepts, issues, skills, methods of inquiry, application of technology and research-based practices related to promoting social studies literacy development of secondary students. The course has a special focus on pedagogical knowledge and skills for teaching social studies and promoting social justice in the social studies classroom. Candidates will learn how to align the PA Social Studies Proficiency Standards with the PA academic standards to plan instruction in a culturally and linguistically diverse setting. Students will draw upon a variety of tools to design, implement, reflect upon and evaluate social studies curriculum for secondary classrooms. Teacher candidates will engage in designing and implementing innovative techniques, new literacies, and effective teaching techniques that address the academic needs of culturally diverse learners. Assigned readings, class lectures and discussions, video and print resources, library and online research, written assignments and presentations, guest speakers, and field trips aim at developing teacher candidates' knowledge, skills, and dispositions for teaching social studies. The course has a mandatory field experience in a 7-12 grade classroom.