Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Social Studies—Elementary Education, BAEd
Social Studies Education is guided by the definition of social studies adopted by the National Council for Social Studies:
“Social Studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within the school program, Social Studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, and Sociology, as well as appropriate content from the Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The primary purpose of Social Studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.”
This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in Elementary Education offered through Woodring College of Education.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Social Studies provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly pertains to different fields in the Humanities and will help to prepare future educators with a broad base of knowledge from different topics in the liberal arts.
How to Declare:
This major must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in elementary education. See the Elementary Education section of Western’s Catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.
Applying to the Elementary Education Professional Program
Admission to the Elementary Education Professional Program is required before a student may begin taking courses in the Professional Sequence. Requirements for consideration of an application include:
- Completion of a minimum of 45 credits (most or all GURs complete)
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher overall or for the last 45 credits
- Acceptable WEST-B scores. This test is offered 6 times a year at various sites in the state. Visit the WEST-B website at www.west.nesinc.com for more information.
- Completion of an English composition course with grade of B- or higher
- Completed application
Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission, but does not guarantee admission.For further information, visit Teacher Education Admissions, Miller Hall 214, 360-650-3313 or visit theweb site at www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss. See also: Elementary Education Professional Program Guide
Coursework
- ANTH 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- EGEO 201 Human Geography
- EGEO 320 The United States: Society & Environment
- HIST 103 Introduction to American Civilization: American History to 1865
- HIST 104 Introduction to American Civilization: American History Since 1865
- HIST 391 History of the Pacific Northwest
- PLSC 250 The American Political System
- One course from
- ECON 446 Economics for the Teacher (preferred)
- ECON 206 Introduction to Microeconomics
- One course from:
- EGEO 250 Geographic Information Systems Survey (preferred)
- EGEO 209 Geography and World Affairs
- EGEO 310 Developing World
- EGEO 312 Geography of the World Economy
- EGEO 327 The Pacific Northwest: Society and Environment
- EGEO 328 Canada: Society and Environment
- One course from:
- ECON 447 Methods for Teaching About the National Economy in the Public Schools
- C/AM 410 Study Canada Summer Institute
- or upper-division EGEO under advisement
- 3-5 credits upper-division social science
- 10 credits in history including one course in world, Western or Pacific Rim history or civilization
Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements
Professional Studies Core
- EDUC 301 - EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY I: DEVELOPMENT AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
- EDUC 302 - EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY II: MOTIVATION, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
- EDUC 310 - THE TEACHER AND THE SOCIAL ORDER
- ELED 370 - INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING
- I T 344 - BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
- I T 442 - CLASSROOM USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY (ELEMENTARY)
- SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student
Elementary Program — Methods, Curriculum Content, and Field Experiences
- ART 380 - ART EDUCATING THE CHILD
- ELED 425 - SOCIAL STUDIES FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- ELED 470 - DEVELOPING TEACHING
- ELED 471 - DOCUMENTING TEACHING
- ELED 480 - LITERACY: BEGINNING COMMUNICATORS
- ELED 481 - LITERACY: FLUENT COMMUNICATORS
- ELED 491 - SEPTEMBER EXPERIENCE
- ELED 492 - PRACTICUM: EXPERIENCE IN LITERACY METHODS
- ELED 494 - INTERNSHIP - ELEMENTARY
- HLED 455 - HEALTH EDUCATION GRADES K-8
- MATH 381 - TEACHING K-8 MATHEMATICS I
- MATH 382 - TEACHING K-8 MATHEMATICS II
- MATH 383 - TEACHING K-8 MATHEMATICS III
- MATH 491 - INTERNSHIP SEMINAR - TEACHING K-8 MATHEMATICS
- MUS 361 - MUSIC FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
- PE 345 - PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- SCED 480 - SCIENCE METHODS AND CURRICULUM FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- SCED 490 - LABORATORY/FIELD EXPERIENCE IN ELEMENTARY SCIENCE
- SPED 430 - PROBLEM SOLVING FOR DIVERSE NEEDS
GURs:
The courses below are offered within this major and may also be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- HUM: HIST 103, 104
- SSC: ANTH 201; ECON 206; EGEO 201, 312; PLSC 250
Sample Careers
- Elementary Teacher
Department
Contact
Undergraduate Advisor
Dr. Bruce Larson
MH 310A
360-650-3702
Bruce.Larson@wwu.edu
Elementary Education Professional Program Information
MH 301D(360) 650-3336http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Depts/ELED/
Teacher Education Admissions
MH 150360-650-3313www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss
Elementary Education Professional Program Advisor and Program
Manager
Ellen KreiderMH 301D360-650-7948Ellen.Kreider@wwu.edu