Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2017 - EDUC 414 D100

Designs for Learning: Secondary Social Studies (4)

Class Number: 4820

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Aug 4, 2017: Wed, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    EDUC 401/402 or corequisite EDUC 403.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Focuses on teaching secondary school social studies and addresses aspects of the theory and practice of social studies education. Students examine their own thinking about social studies education through critical reflection, work with the prescribed curriculum, and explore various ways to develop engaging learning experiences for young adults within a consistent framework using appropriate instructional materials and methods.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course aims to assist teachers in developing critical and theoretically­informed approaches to teaching secondary social studies. We will examine the historical and theoretical context of social studies education, as well as particular local content of the British Columbia secondary social studies curriculum. We will work collaboratively to learn design, instructional and assessment approaches and methods for creating engaging learning experiences for adolescent learners.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The hope is teachers will develop a personal pedagogical vision for social studies teaching, and cultivate the knowledge and skills to put that vision into practice.

Grading

  • Weekly Assignments and Participation 20%

NOTES:

Weekly assignments will include such activities as analytical responses to pre­assigned seminar readings, small group presentations, lesson design activities, reflective responses to class materials and dialogue, and the writing of a personal pedagogical rationale statement for teaching Social Studies. Regular attendance is a given.

 80% (2 x 40%) Individual and Collaborative Projects

In consultation with the instructor, teacher candidates will develop two projects that best serve their professional and learning needs at their current stage in PDP.

REQUIREMENTS:

Possible project format suggestions include, but are not limited to:

•a classroom ready Social Studies unit plan integrating the instructional, assessment, design strategies and theoretical rationales explored throughout the course (suitable for those who have just completed 401/2)

•a year­long instructional and assessment plan for a grade level or other Social Studies program (suitable for teacher candidates who have completed EDUC 405)

•an academic essay examining a relevant issue in Social Studies education. This piece will be of a standard for sharing at a conference, or in an academic or professional trade publication (suitable for those considering future graduate/diploma studies)

•an online classroom resource (blog, website, pdf, etc) with a social studies focus of personal interest. The online resource may be organized around an interdisciplinary or pedagogical theme, (e.g. environmental education, social justice education, geography) or a grade level. This teacher resource will include a variety of educational resources, research articles, relevant curriculum documents, instructional and assessment tools­­with annotations describing their content, value and usefulness. (suitable for those wishing to develop in­depth practical knowledge and ‘tool kit’ of a specific area of social studies education).

Detailed project plans, assessment criteria and content will be co­designed and finalized with colleagues and the instructor within the first three weeks of term. Project One will be due Week Seven; Project Two will be due in the last week of the semester.

There is no final examination for this course.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The anthology of Social Studies (Vol. 2): Issues and strategies for secondary teachers. (Eds. Roland Case & Penney Clark). Pacific Educational Press.


ISBN: 9780864913883

RECOMMENDED READING:

A complete syllabus with all required readings, detailed assignment descriptions and other course requirements will be emailed to registrants in late April.

Participants should have online access to BC Ministry of Education curriculum documents for 2017­18 school year.

The latest draft BC Social Studies curriculum documents are available at:

https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/Social Studies


Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS