Summer 2025 - EDUC 414 D100
Designs for Learning: Secondary Social Studies (4)
Class Number: 4367
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Surrey
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Instructor:
Dana MacKay
dpmackay@sfu.ca
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Instructor:
Sessional
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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:
The most recent redesign of the BC curriculum resulted in fundamental changes to the focus, scope, and organization of the BC Social Studies curriculum. Some of these changes included the re-structing of course/grade historical timelines, emphasizing critical competencies such as the Big Six historical thinking skills, and greater considerations for historical injustices of the past. This course will encourage future Social Studies teachers to develop the philosophical and methodological foundations upon which to nurture young learners in Socials Studies. Through the evaluation of multi-model assignments, instructional practises, and classroom resources, students will be able to clarify and articulate the values they will foster in their own classrooms.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
- Develop greater familiarity with and fluency in the current 8-12 Social Studies curriculum (weekly unpacking of senior SS courses).
- Articulate a personal understanding of Social Studies education.
- Develop a deeper understanding of the critical issues educators face when teaching in the Social Studies classroom.
- Explore Indigenous and Anti-colonial approaches to Social Studies.
- Gain a greater understanding of assessment practices specific to the context of Social Studies (assessing the whole learner).
- Gain concrete experience with unit and lesson planning for social studies.
Grading
- Critical Analysis Response Paper 25%
- Historical Significance Reflection/Assessment 25%
- Secondary Social Studies Unit Plan 30%
- Class Participation*/circle share outs 20%
NOTES:
*Class Participation
Please note that weekly attendance and exit slips will be used to determine student’s overall grade.
There is no final exam for this course.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Selected readings will be provided via Canvas and the SFU library and posted well in advance.
RECOMMENDED READING:
The Big Six Historical Thinking Concepts by Tom Morton and Peter Seixas
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.