Social Science Department
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Social Science Education

48 credits + education course work

Why social science education?
Social scientists share a common interest in observing, describing, and explaining social phenomena, including cultures, institutions, organizations, groups, and individuals. A major in social science education is designed to serve students who seek certification to teach social studies in secondary schools and who need an overview of the disciplines represented in the social sciences. Licensure requirements are subject to change; therefore, students considering teaching in this area should be in continuous contact with the chair of this program and the school of education for a list of required courses.

Career Options
A majority of our graduates pursue classroom teaching in public or private middle or high schools; others go on to seek advanced degrees in special education, literacy, educational administration, curriculum and instruction, school counseling or school psychology.

High School Preparation
Comparative government & politics; human geography; microeconomics; U.S. government & politics; U.S. history

Sample First Year Schedule
Fall Semester
Course #
Title Credits
ED100 Intro to Education
(optional, but recommended)
(1)
PY111 General Psychology 4
H150 American Experience 3
LCT140 First Year Seminar 3
E120 English Composition 3
TA101 Oral Communications 3
  16-17 total
Spring Semester
Course #
Title Credits
ED250 Human Relations, Cultural Diversity
& Indian Cultures K-12
2
S110 Sociological Imagination 3
PS102 American National Government 3
H125 Europe and the World 4
ST132 Reasoning with Statistics 3
  Disciplinary Studies Course 3
    18 total


For more information contact:
Sociology Program Coordinator
Education Chair
Wesley Miller, Ph.D.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #1516
Winona, MN 55987-1399
(800) 635-5987, Ext. 1512
wmiller@smumn.edu

Scott Sorvaag, Ed.D.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #23
Winona, MN 55987-1399
(800) 635-5987, Ext. 6612
ssorvaag@smumn.edu

 Course Information

    (From the 09-11 Catalog)

    A. All of the following:
        AN300    Introduction Anthropology
        EC261    Principles of Microeconomics
        GE305    Introduction to Geography
        H125    Europe and the World
        H150    The American Experience
        H230    Ancient World
        H321    Early Middle Ages
        H322    High Middle Ages
        LCT375    Global Issues
        PS102    American National Government
        PY211    Developmental Psychology
        S110    Sociological Imagination

    B. One of the following courses:
        ST132    Reasoning with Statistics
        ST232    Introduction to Statistics

    C. The following course:
        S250    Logic of Analysis

    D. Five additional upper division courses selected from two programs or departments in this major. See the Course Catalog for options.

    E. Required education course work

    Please Note: Students considering teaching in this area should be in contact with the chair of this program and the education department. Students should also check each semester for possible changes in course work required of them as they work toward certification at the university.

    Click on courses below for descriptions

  • AN300 Introduction to Anthropology (3 credits)
  • EC261 Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)
  • GE305 Introduction to Geography (3 credits)
  • H125 Europe and the World (4 credits)
  • H150 The American Experience (4 credits)
  • H230 The Ancient World (3 credits)
  • H321 The Early Middle Ages (3 credits)
  • H322 The High Middle Ages (3 credits)
  • LCT375 Global Issues (3 credits)
  • PS102 American National Government (3 credits)
  • PY211 Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
  • S110 Sociological Imagination (3 credits)
  • S250 Logic of Analysis (4 credits)
  • ST132 Reasoning with Statistics (3 credits)
  • ST232 Introduction to Statistics (2 credits)
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