Course: SSE 6730
Teacher Education Division
Course Credit: 3 hours
Instructor: Jerome Sullivan
E-Mail: jmsullivan@comcast.net or sullivj@pccs.k12.mi.us
Office Telephone: (734) 416-4970
 

Course Description:  This course will address the foundations of teaching social studies in the secondary school through a number of
     perspectives on effective social studies teaching.

Course Objectives: This course will help students to:

• develop a working knowledge of the seven (7) social studies (NCSS) disciplines.
• experience examples of the social studies disciplines.
• use the Curriculum Content Standards of Social Studies in Michigan to design instruction.
• develop practical strategies to deliver social studies instruction.
• work as a large group; including discussion and decision making.
• develop a philosophy of teaching social studies.
• work in small groups; including discussions, research, decision making and project completion.
• become familiar with current literature on social studies education.
• organize a social studies classroom and class to help students become successful learners.
• understand the basis of constructivist teaching.
• join a professional organization; i.e. MCSS.
• participate in a social studies conference.

Assignments:  (These assignments will be discussed in more detail in class sessions.)
Students will :

• work as a small group to teach the class about a chapter  from Best Practices 25 points
• work as a small group to develop a social studies unit plan.  50 points
• work as a small group to plan a field trip. 15 points
• read and critique 5 articles on the practice of teaching social studies. 50 points 10/article
• participate in two (2) field trips and follow up activities.  20 points
• participate in class activities at the beginning of class.  10 points
• join a social studies professional organization.  5 points
• produce a personal social studies teaching philosophy  5 points

Class Policies:
Students are expected to attend all class sessions.  Any exceptions to this rule must be cleared with the instructor prior to the exception.  Violations will result in loss of credit for assignments due.  An Incomplete (I grade)  may be given for only for valid reasons and only after completing a contract with the instructor.  The completed grade may not be for a grade higher than a B.

Class Schedule:
The dates for topics to be dealt with in class will be announced in class and deadlines are determined by the instructor in collaboration with the class.

Required Texts:

Michigan Frameworks for Social Studies at University Copy Service
Best Practice by Steve Zelmelan, Harvey Daniels, & Arthur Hyde

In addition, there may be expenses for transportation to field trips and class copies of group assignments.

Suggested Additional Readings:

Constructivism (Papert, Piaget, & Vygotsky)
Delphit, Lisa Other People’s Children
Gardner, Howard Frames of Mind
Gardner, Howard Quality Schools, or  Quality School Teacher
Goleman, Daniel Emotional Intelligence
Hunter, Madeline (Effective Teaching)
Kelly, Earl Education for What  Is Real
Kelly, Earl   The Workshop Way of Learning
Loewen, James W. Lies My Teacher Told Me
Postman, Neil Teaching  As a Suversive Activity
Rogers, Carl  Freedom To Learn
Sizer, Theodore Horace’s Compromise
Stoddard, L. Education For Greatness