Social Studies Education/History, BSED

The BSED in Social Studies Education prepares students to teach history and social studies to students in grades 7-12. Our well-rounded program which focuses on history education, also includes courses from the various disciplines of Social Studies, such as history, political science, anthropology, economics, geography, psychology and sociology. In addition, students take education courses, as well as observing and teaching in actual classrooms.

See requirements leading to teacher certification, titled “3-Step Process for Teacher Education,” in the College of Education and Human Services section of this catalog. To student teach, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their major (social science and history courses). To be licensed to teach, education/history majors must apply for social studies education certification.

Crimson Core: 40-41

As outlined in the Crimson Core Requirements with the following specifications:

College: 35

3 additional credits of MATH level 105 or higher

AHMP 142 - Introduction to Secondary Social Studies Education Credits: 2

Preprofessional Education Sequence: 3

EDTC 103 - Digital Instructional Technology Credits: 3

Professional Education Sequence: 27

AHMP 342 - Social Studies Teaching Lab Credits: 2
SPED 301 - Education of Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Secondary Settings Credits: 2
SPED 323 - Instruction of English Language Learners with Special Needs Credits: 2
SPSY 477 - Assessment of Student Learning: Design and Interpretation of Educational Measures Credits: 3
EDUC 242 - Pre-student Teaching Clinical Experience I Credits: 1
EDUC 342 - Pre-student Teaching Clinical Experience II Credits: 1
EDUC 441 - Student Teaching Credits: 5-12 (12 credits required)
EDUC 442 - School Law Credits: 1
EDUC 455 - Teaching of Social Studies in Secondary Schools Credits: 3

Major:30

Foundation Courses: 12 (2)

HIST 211 - World History to 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 212 - World History Since 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 204 - United States History to 1877 Credits: 3
HIST 205 - United States History since 1877 Credits: 3

Research Courses: 6

HIST 295 - Introduction to Historical Studies Credits: 3
HIST 495 - History Capstone Credits: 3 (3)

Controlled Electives: 12

12 Credits of HIST with the following specifications:

Any 3 additional HIST courses numbered 301-494 with at least one being a US History course and at least one being a non-US History course.
Any 1 additional HIST course numbered 200 or higher.
No more than one Public History course 420-430 may be counted as a controlled elective.

US History Courses 300-494:

HIST 342 - The Early Republic Credits: 3
HIST 343 - Civil War and Reconstruction Credits: 3
HIST 346 - Recent United States History Credits: 3
HIST 348 - Top Secret America: The Rise and Reach of the National Security State Credits: 3
HIST 360 - History of Pennsylvania Credits: 3
HIST 362 - History of American Diplomacy, 1900-present Credits: 3
HIST 363 - Thought and Culture in Early America Credits: 3
HIST 365 - History of Black America since Emancipation Credits: 3
HIST 369 - Women in America Credits: 3
HIST 374 - Blind Pigs and Brothels: A History of Crime and Vice in America Credits: 3
HIST 475 - History of American Constitutionalism Credits: 3

Non-US History Courses 300-494:

HIST 300 - Topics in Ancient History: Credits: 3
HIST 302 - History of Ancient Rome Credits: 3
HIST 303 - Medieval Europe I, 400-1000 Credits: 3
HIST 307 - History of Europe: 1815-1914 Credits: 3
HIST 313 - Europe Since 1945: Division, Revolution, and Unity Credits: 3
HIST 332 - History of Early China Credits: 3
HIST 333 - Vietnam in War and Revolution Credits: 3
HIST 433 - China 1300-1800: The Late Imperial Age Credits: 3
HIST 434 - Modern China 1800-present Credits: 3
HIST 436 - Japan 1500-1850: Early Modern Japan Credits: 3
HIST 437 - Modern Japan 1850-Present Credits: 3

Other History Courses 200-494:

HIST 240 - Zombies: A Cultural History of Death, Disease, and Technology Credits: 3
HIST 241 - American Amusements: A History of Having Fun Credits: 3
HIST 244 - Samurai and Gongfu Heroes: Masculinity in East Asia Credits: 3
HIST 250 - Introduction to Public History Credits: 3
HIST 251 - United States Military History Credits: 3
HIST 279 - History of Computing and Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3
HIST 353 - History Museums and Historic Sites: Theory and Practice Credits: 3
HIST 354 - Oral History Practice Credits: 3
HIST 356 - Digital History Credits: 3
HIST 357 - Archival Studies Credits: 3

Social Science Distribution: 9

ECON 122 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
GEOG 230 - Human Geography Credits: 3
One course from the following:
POLI 280 - Comparative Government I: Western Political Systems Credits: 3
POLI 285 - Comparative Government II: Non-Western Political Systems Credits: 3
POLI 350 - The Presidency Credits: 3
POLI 351 - Legislative Process Credits: 3
POLI 354 - Urban Politics Credits: 3
POLI 355 - Intergovernmental Relations Credits: 3
POLI 356 - Mass Media in American Politics Credits: 3
POLI 358 - Judicial Process Credits: 3
POLI 359 - Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties Credits: 3

Free Electives: 6

Total Degree Requirements: 120

(1) English Composition II requirements are fulfilled by the department’s Writing Plan.

(2) In exceptional cases, the student’s advisor may give special permission to substitute two upper-level courses for one of the foundation courses.

(3) This requirement may be fulfilled by completing the departmental honors program.

Social Studies Education/History, BSED

Crimson Core: 40-41

Quantitative Reasoning & Data Analysis : 3

Human and Creative Inquiry: 3

Scientific Reasoning: 3

Values and Ethics: 3

Civic Readiness: 3

Global Learning: 3

Controlled Electives: 9