Department of Social Science

K-12 Teacher Education

If you plan to teach Social Studies in the California public schools, we recommend that you major in either Multiple Subject Social Science Teacher Preparation (K-8) or Single Subject Social Science Teacher Preparation (7-12).  These two majors are the only California Commission on Teacher Preparation (CCTC) approved course of study in the College of Social Science at San Jose State University.  Moreover, you will need an interdisciplinary foundation in the Social Sciences (History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology) in order to be fully prepared to teach the required state approved curriculum.

Also, the demographics of California require that teachers be prepared to work effectively with a diverse student population.   To that end, we put diversity issues at the center of our coursework.  Our diverse faculty consists of social scientists who are not only experts in their respective fields but are also active in community agencies serving diverse populations. We couple theory and practice in our courses by requiring a fieldwork experience in a public school classroom in tandem with the examination and critique of the latest educational theories and case studies.

If you care about children/youth, equity in education and you want to make a positive contribution to the field of education, Social Science is the right major for you. We welcome you and invite you to join us. It is our mission to train exemplary teachers, advocates, and leaders for the betterment of our schools and society.

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BA - Social Science, Preparation for Teaching (Single Subject)

This major is designed for students interested in teaching history, political science (government), economics, or social science in high school or middle school. The following course work satisfies San Jose State University's requirements for a BA in Social Science. In addition, this program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) as subject matter preparation for a single subject credential in social science.

Minimum grade point average (GPA) criteria may be required for verification of subject matter competency. Completion of the program will not guarantee admission to the credential program. Like all other applicants, students must meet credential program standards and undergo screening for admission. See "Teaching: How to Become a Teacher in California" (see index) for information on application and admission to credential programs.

Course Requirements

General Education Requirements: (39-42 units)

Of the 51 units required by the university; 9-12 may be satisfied by specified major and support requirements. Consult major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

Of the 6 units required by the university, all may be satisfied within general education requirements as specified in the schedule of classes.

Physical Education (2 units)

Electives (25-28 units)

Requirements in the Major

(51 units)

Lower Division (12 units)

Six (6) units from the following:

HIST 001A.  World History

HIST 001B.  World History

Select one 6 unit sequence from the following:

HIST/POLS 15A/B. U.S. History and Government I and II

AFAM 2A/B. African Americans and the Development of Americas History and Government

MAS 10A/B. Mexican Americans History and the Development of Americas History and Government

AAS 33A/B. Asian Americans in the United States Hitorical and Political Process

Upper Division (39 units)

SOCS 177.  Society and Education

SOCS 185. Diversity in the Classroom

SOCS 195.  Theory and Practice in the Social Sciences

Required Courses:

ECON 109. Economics for Teachers

GEOG 101.  Global Geography

HIST 155.   Twentieth-Century World History

HIST 186. Ethnic History of the United States

HIST 187. U.S. Social History

HIST 189A.  California History

HIST 189B.   California History

POLS 101. American Government and Politics for Teacher

RELS 191.   Religion and Political Controversy in the U.S.

Total Units: 120

BA - Social Science, Preparation for Teaching (Multiple Subjects)

This major is designed for students interested in teaching in elementary school or middle school. The following course work satisfies San Jose State University's requirements for a BA in Social Science. In addition, this program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) as subject matter preparation for diversified subject matter preparation. Maintaining a minimum grade of average (GPA) and completion of the program will not guarantee admission to the credential program. Like all other applicants, students must meet credential program standards and undergo screening for admission. See "Teaching: How to Become a Teacher in California" (see index) for information on application and admission to credential programs.

Course Requirements

General Education Requirements (6 units)

Of the 51 units required by the university, 45 may be satisfied by specified major and support requirements. Consult major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

Of the 6 units required by the university, all may be satisfied within general education requirements as specified in the schedule of classes.

Physical Education (2 units)

Support Requirements for Diversified Major (60-66 units)

Language & Literature (21 units total)

Required (9 units)

ENGL 001A.  Composition 1

ENGL 001B.  Composition 2

ENGL 112A.  Children's Literature

Three units from the following:

ENGL 103.     Modern English

LLD 107.         Patterns of English

Three units from:

Any GE Area A3 course

 Either series from the following:

(6 units)

LLD 108.         Intro to Second Language Development, Teaching, and Assessment

EDEL 108E.    Teaching Reading in Diverse Classrooms

(6 units)

CHAD 150.     Development of Communicative Competence

CHAD 151.     Developing Literacy in a Diverse Society

Mathematics (9 units)

Required:

MATH 012.    Number Systems

MATH 105.    Concepts in Mathematics, Probability and Statistics

MATH 106.    Intuitive Geometry

Science (12 units)

Required:

CHEM 035.    Introduction to Physical Sciences

BIOL 021.       Human Biology

GEOL 103.     Earth Systems and the Environment

SCI 110.          Global Themes of Science

Visual and Performing Arts (9 units)

Required:  (3 units)

CA 177.          Interdisciplinary Arts for Teaching

Complete six units from:

ART 039.       Multicultural Arts for Children

ART 138.        Studio Art Experiences for Young People

DANC 148.    Children's Dance

MUSC 010B.  Introduction to Music

MUSC 185A.  Music for Children

TA 131.           Storytelling and Creative Dramatics

Physical Education and Health (3-6 units)

Either of the following:

(6 units)

KIN 177.         Movement Experiences for Children

EDTE 190.     Health Education for the Classroom Teacher

(or 3 units)

CHAD 149.    Child Health and Physical Activity

Human Development (3-6 units)

Either of the following:

(6 units)

PSYC 082.       Child and Adolescent Psychology

CHAD 067.     Development of Human Potential

(or 3 units)

CHAD 060.      Child Development

Other Preparation (3 units)

SOCS 100W.            Writing Workshop

Electives (10 - 19 units)

Foreign language and technology requirements for teaching credential strongly recommended (see Credential Information Services).

Lower Division (6 units)

Choose from:

AAS 033A & 33B.       Asian Americans in the United States: Historical and Political Process

HIST 015A & 15B.       U.S. History & Government

 Upper Division (30 units)

SOCS 137.  California in Historical and Social Scientific Perspectives

SOCS 138.  United States in Historical and Social Science Perspectives

SOCS 139.  The World in Historical and Social Science Perspectives

SOCI 162.    Race and Ethnic Relations

SOCS 177.  Society and Education

SOCS 195.  Theory and Practice in the Social Sciences

POLS 102.   State Government and Politics

GEOG 112.  Nations, Cultures, and Territorial Disputes

ANTH 115.  The Emerging Global Culture

ECON 109.   Analysis of Economic Issues for Teachers

Total Units: 120

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Rev. March 2010