Social Studies Major
Why study social studies at CMU?
Students in this interdisciplinary program will explore many areas of study including political behavior, environmental geography, and cultures of the world. Consider some key features of this program:
- Courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in social studies
- Well-rounded selection of study in areas including geography, political science, economics, and history
- Close interaction with accomplished faculty
- Degree programs that include teaching certification at the university with the most teacher education alumni in Michigan
- More than $100,000 available in study abroad scholarships for students who are interested in expanding their horizons through more than 100 programs, including social studies-related programs
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Employment is expected to grow as 9 to 17 percent for teachers from kindergarten through the secondary grades.
- Wage and salary employment growth of 17 percent is expected in the educational services industry, which is higher than the 14 percent increase projected for all industries combined.
- As education and training take on greater importance in everyone�s lives, the need for people to administer education programs will grow.
Career options
Graduates of the social studies program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Guidance Counselor
- Education Specialist
- Fundraiser
- Human Resources Specialist
- Loan Specialist
- Public Relations Representative
- School Administrator
- Elementary, Middle, or High School Teacher
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Social Studies Major
In order to be recommended for student teaching, a student must:
1. Count no course with a grade lower than C- toward the major.
2. Have a minimum of 15 credit hours on the major at CMU with a cumulative average of at least 2.70.
3. Complete a departmental application form.
4. Have a grade of C+ or higher in the teaching methods course.
( Total: 39 semester hours
For additional information, see the list of advisors in the Class Schedule Booklet. )
(12 hours)
Required Courses I
Take all of the following
3
GEO 120 Environmental Geography
An introduction to the human use of the earth's surface and inquiry into selected environmental problems resulting from use of the physical landscape. (University Program Group IV-A) This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
3
GEO 121 Cultures of the World
Population, political, economic, and other cultural phenomena and their world distribution patterns are presented upon a nontechnical background of physical geography. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group III-B)
3
PSC 101 Political Behavior
Focus is on the elements of individual political behavior. Includes socialization; political involvement, commitment and participation; voting behavior; and political opinion and personality. (University Program Group III-A)
3
PSC 105 Introduction to American Government and Politics
Focuses both on the formal institutions of government and how politics actually works in the United States. Recommended prior to taking any other political science courses in American Political Institutions. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group III-B)
(3 hours)
Required Courses II
Select one of the following:
3
HST 101 The Development of Western Civilization
Selected political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, and aesthetic elements in the background of present-day western civilization from the beginning of historic times to today. HST 101: from ancient times to 1700 A.D.; HST 102: from 1700 to the present. (University Program Group I-A)
3
HST 102 The Development of Western Civilization
Selected political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, and aesthetic elements in the background of present-day western civilization from the beginning of historic times to today. HST 101: from ancient times to 1700 A.D.; HST 102: from 1700 to the present. (University Program Group I-A)
(3 hours)
Required Courses III
Select one of the following:
3
HST 111 United States to 1865
A broad and interpretative study of the United States before the Civil War. (University Program Group III-B)
3
HST 112 United States 1865 to the Present
A broad and interpretative study of the United States since the Civil War. (University Program Group III-B)
(6 hours)
Required Courses IV
Select two of the following:
3
ECO 101 Economics as a Way of Thinking
Introduction to the economic way of thinking and its applications to decision making in daily living. Emphasis on basic understanding of the economic aspects of current issues. Credit on the Economics major will be given only if this course is taken prior to ECO 201 or ECO 202 or ECO 203.
3
ECO 110 Economics and Society
An examination of the development of economic thought and institutions with emphasis on the application of this knowledge to the understanding of today's world. Credit on the economics major will not be given if this course is taken after ECO 201 or ECO 202 or ECO 203. (University Program Group III-B)
3
ECO 201 Principles of Macroeconomics
Provides understanding of basic principles of economics, methods of National Income accounting, inflation, unemployment, role of government, money and banking, monetary policy, and international economics. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
3
ECO 202 Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost; supply and demand; welfare economics; household and firm behavior; competition and monopoly; resource markets. Credit may not be earned in more than one of ECO 202 and ECO 203. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
3
ECO 280 Economies of the World
Overview of economies, with emphasis on comparison of their economic performance, the system used for production and distribution, and economic agreements among nations. (University Program Group III- B)
1. A concentration in a single discipline of at least 9 hours in addition to required courses. No more than 18 hours from a single discipline may be counted toward the major, including the required courses.
2. Take at least 12 hours 300 level or higher.
3. Select at least one course from each of the following groups
3
GEO 395 Michigan
Physical environment, resources, settlement, population, and economic activities studied sequentially and regionally. Prerequisite: junior standing.
3
HST 333 History of Michigan
A study of the development of Michigan, from earliest settlement by Native Americans to the present, focusing on economic, social, and political history.
3
ECO 310 American Economic Development
Realistic interpretation, with emphasis on economic change and its significance in social, cultural, and political evolution. Recommended: ECO 201 or ECO 202 or ECO 203.
3
ECO 430 Views of the Future of the U.S. Economy
Analysis of economic thought, projections and institutional changes suggested for the future by various schools of thought. Institutional rather than quantitative emphasis. Recommended: ECO 202 or ECO 203.
3
PSC 320 The American Legislative Process
Analysis of the legislative process, studying formal and informal devices used by legislative bodies in determining policy. Primary emphasis is on the United States Congress. Prerequisites: PSC 105.
3
PSC 321 The American Chief Executive
Development of the executive office of the United States, with emphasis on the Presidency. This course has been approved for offering in a distance learning format.
3
PSC 323 American Parties and Politics
Analysis of American political parties as instruments of democratic government. Their structures, functions, and organizations, with emphasis on nomination, campaigns, and elections.
3
PSC 371 American Political Thought
Selective survey of dominant trends in American political thought from the revolutionary era to the present. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group I-A)
3
PSC 372 American Radical Thought
Study and analysis of the main social revolutionary ideologies of the left during the past 100 years in the United States.
3
PSC 421 Constitutional Law: Powers of Government
Examines major U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, fiscal and commerce powers, and economic liberties.
3
PSC 422 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
Examines major U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding the First Amendment, criminal procedure, racial and gender equality, and the right to privacy.
3
ECO 230/WST 230 Women in the Economy
A study of the past and present role of women in the economy, as workers, both inside and outside the labor market. Identical to WST 230. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group IV-A)
3
HST 323 History of Native Americans
The study of native peoples of North America before Columbus, and the interrelationships between the native peoples and European immigrants after Columbus. (University Program Group IV-C)
3
HST 324 African-American History to 1915
Examines African-American leadership, social and political life in the New World from slavery to the pre-World War I period. (University Program Group IV-C)
3
HST 325 African-Americans in Twentieth Century America
Analyzes change and continuity in African-American leadership, tactics, social and political life in efforts to gain full equality. (University Program Group IV-C)
3
HST 326/WST 328 Women in America
Study of the traditional position of women in American society as documented in historical, literary, and biographical sources. Identical to WST 328. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group I-A)
3
HST 354/WST 354 Women in European History
Surveys and analyzes the traditional and nontraditional roles of women in European history, using new historical research. Identical to WST 354. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
PSC 125 African-American Politics
Examines issues of political economy, political participation, political efficacy and alienation, Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism. (University Program Group IV-C)
3
PSC 325/PHL 345/REL 345/SOC 345 The Civil Rights Movement
Examines the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1980s; based on PBS series: Eyes on the Prize. Identical to PHL 345, REL 345, SOC 345. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Any one of the following: HST 110, HST 111, HST 112, LAR 145, PSC 100, PSC 125, REL 140, SOC 100. (University Program Group IV-C).
3
PSC 326/WST 326 Women and Politics
This course will look primarily at empirical studies of women's role in politics in the U.S. but also in other contexts. Identical to WST 326. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group IV-A)
3
GEO 400 Geographic Education
Study of geography in the K-12 curriculum including relevant teaching methods, national and state content standards and multicultural education. Prerequisites: junior standing; 12 hours of geography or social sciences.
3
HST 400 History for Secondary Schools
Translates the study and methodology of history into teaching practices appropriate for secondary schools, and evaluates recent proposals for improving history instruction. Prerequisites: Admission to teacher education program; 18 hours of history, or current enrollment in 18th hour; Recommended: 2.70 GPA in history major or minor.
3
PSC 405 Methods for Teaching Political Science
Lesson plans, objectives evaluations, organization and methods of teaching government and politics. Three weeks of mid-tier experiences. Prerequisites: completion of at least 15 hours of political science course work; at least junior status.