SBS1100 Introduction to Social Sciences
4 semester hours
The course focuses on the social scientific understanding of society. Students learn the conditions that limit our lives and the opportunities open to us for improving the human condition, for developing societies in which human beings can live happy, meaningful, and satisfying lives. Because all expressions of human culture are related and interdependent, to gain a real understanding of human society, students study society from the perspectives of anthropology, sociology, history, geography, economics, political science, and psychology. They become familiar with methodology and methods of social sciences, with social scientific approaches to problems, and appreciate the multidisciplinary approach to human society.
No prerequisites. Meets General Education: “Knowing Ourselves and Others” Group B requirement.
SBS2100 Human Geography
3 semester hours
The overarching themes of this class are geography’s impact on human development and the impact of collective human activity on global ecology. This class will explore how geographic realities impact population distributions, human migration, and the global diffusions of social customs, languages, religions, and folk and popular cultures. Topics will include ethnic distribution and competition, the links between ethnicity and state formation, state development, and state competition. This class will explore the origins and development of agriculture and industry as well as natural resource utilization and depletion and their accompanying impact on regional and global environments. Additional topics to be explored include multiple theories of urbanization and the ecological, economic and human impacts of globalization. This class will also expose students to the theories, models and approaches used in the social sciences. Students will gain experience analyzing and creating maps.
No prerequisites. Meets General Education: “Knowing Ourselves and Others” Group B requirement.
SBS/HIS3350 The Native Americans
4 semester hours
An introductory survey of the history, culture and current social issues affecting Native Americans in North America: migration and pre-history, the relationship between Native American lifeways and the environment, the process and effects of European contact, the history of political and legal connections with the United States, encounter and conflict with Euro-American culture, social/cultural dimensions of Native American groups, diversity and common themes in Native American cultures and the current condition and prospects of Native Americans in U.S. society. Includes student projects based on the study of Native American artifacts and other primary sources.
No prerequisites. Meets General Education “Knowing Ourselves and Others” Group B requirement.
SBS3820 Secondary Methods in Social Studies
4 semester hours
This course presents techniques that are effective in teaching in the content areas. The course includes lesson planning, classroom arrangement, curriculum design, alternative teaching strategies, and evaluation. In addition to the classroom hours, there is an accompanying practicum. This is usually the last course the student takes prior to student teaching. (Fall)
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education including passing the Basic Skills Test/TAP, maintaining a content GPA of 3.00; passing an FBI national fingerprint screening that encompasses passing a criminal background/sex offender check; passing a TB test and EDU2200, EDU2260, EDU3720. Placement applications for the practicum are due to the College of Education placement coordinator the January before the academic year of the practicum or for transfer students upon acceptance into the College of Education.
