Inquiry in Teaching & Learning  

 PROGRAMS OF STUDY

The Department of History places a premium on preparing the next generation of history and social studies teachers. At least one-half of the history majors are training to teach in middle and high schools. Others aim to teach at the collegiate level. Our goal is to equip these future teachers with the necessary historical knowledge and understanding by exposing them to a variety of historical narratives and theories, introducing them to diverse local and global communities, and helping them sharpen their historical thinking skills. For more information on teacher training, see "The Next Generation of History Teachers: A Challenge to Departments of History at American Colleges and Universities."

BSED HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES

In the program’s core methods courses, students have opportunities to learn and practice doing history and social studies by asking discipline-oriented and inquiry-driven questions, examining and analyzing primary and secondary documents and artifacts, and offering evidence-based arguments and interpretations. This not only includes United States and World History, but also Geography, Government, and Economics. Simultaneously, teacher candidates learn pedagogical strategies, design lessons, and practice teaching in secondary classrooms. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). For more details on the BSEd History/Social Studies program of study, see the History and Social Studies Secondary Education Program.