Middle Grades Education, BS: Social Studies

A basic course introducing the student to the concepts, theories, and methods employed in an objective scientific analysis of society, culture, social institutions and organizations, social control, deviancy, and social factors involved in personality development. Meets the general education social science or business management requirement. (Offered every semester.)

This course explores the relationship between the physical world and humanity, including how humans impact, and are impacted by, the world around them. The course surveys the historical, economic, cultural, and political developments and conflicts of various regions, with special emphasis on the increasingly global and interconnected nature of the world today. Topics and issues include regional anthropology and history; the rise and development of civilizations; the roles of trade, climate, and diet; and the cultural and intellectual markers of regions of the world.

This course explores the origin and historical development of various cultures throughout the world and the interplay of physical, economic, political, and social forces in the shaping of world civilization to 1500. Meets the general education humanities-history requirement. (Offered fall semester.)

This course is about the economic behavior of individuals and firms. We will study markets under a variety of conditions and assess the implications for human well-being. We will develop tools to analyze policy and determine when government interventions in the market are justified. However, microeconomics is about more than just money; it also provides a framework for understanding human nature. By the end of the semester students will have a deeper understanding of markets, policy, and human behavior. ?Prerequisite: MATH 105 or higher. (Offered every semester)

A survey of the major cultural, economic, and political developments in the United States from colonialism to 1877. Topics and issues include pre-Columbian North America, European migration, forms of slavery and forced labor in the early colonies, the American Revolution, democracy in the Early Republic, antebellum slavery, and the American Civil War and Reconstruction. The course will focus on themes of slavery versus freedom, federalism, and democracy. Meets the general education humanities-history requirement.

A survey of the major cultural, economic, and political developments in the United States since 1877. Topics and issues include America's increasingly international role; issues of race, gender, and equality; the role of ideas and intellectuals in modernity; and the transformation of politics and ideology in the twentieth century. The course will focus on themes of progress, internationalism, and the individual in society. Meets the general education humanities-history requirement.

A survey of the history, development, and functions of the American system of government. The course focuses primarily on the federal level, but some attention is given to state and local levels. Major topics and issues include constitutionalism, federalism, and significant Supreme Court cases. The course also explores the legislative and electoral processes, the role of political parties and interest groups, and the American presidency, all primarily from a social-scientific approach. Related topics may include the relationship between media and politics, representations of govenment in film and television, and the political aptitude and attitudes of everyday Americans.

This course examines effective strategies for middle grades Social Science students. In addition, methods to be used to assess students' progress will be explored. Pre-service teachers will be provided instructional tools including questioning strategies, mini-lessons, investigations, format of lessons, formative and summative assessment strategies, meeting students' diverse needs including ELL’s, and methods of eliminating gender and ethnic/racial biases in mathematics instruction. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education Program.

This course prepares the candidate for admission to the Teacher Education licensure program. Course content includes the characteristics of the Greenville College Teacher Education Program, the aim of American schooling, a survey of the legal, social, economic, historical, political, and ethical issues involved in public school education. Additionally, the course introduces culturally relevant pedagogy. This course will give you the opportunity to determine whether you want to persist in the Teacher Education Program. (Offered fall semester.) $32 Fee.

The purpose of this course is to explore race and poverty issues that impact the classroom environment. Candidates will search for effective strategies to better meet the needs of underserved populations. The hidden rules of economic class and characteristics of generational poverty will be studied, with emphasis on the impact this has on instruction. Students will spend time assisting in a classroom which serves a high minority and low socioeconomic population. Meets the general education global foundations requirement. Prerequisite: EDUC 110. (Offered fall semester) Course fee may apply.

This course prepares the candidate for admission to the Teacher Education licensure program. Course content includes the characteristics of the Greenville University Teacher Education Program. Additionally, this course develops culturally relevant pedagogy. This course includes 52-60 hours of field experience in diverse settings. This course will give you the opportunity to determine whether you want to persist in the Teacher Education Program. (Offered Interterm.) Fee $60.00

This course explores the theories and practice that identify communication skills and competencies in diverse educational settings, including virtual and remote, with multiple stakeholders. The course will also introduce educators to the pedagogy and integration of instructional technologies. Emphasis will be placed on interpersonal and intercultural communication, critical listening and questioning techniques, professional collaboration, digital communication and instructional tools. Students will build a professional, digital portfolio and the option to earn a Level 1 Google Certified Educator certification.

This course will examine the historical context, diverse characteristics, and individual planning for the exceptional child. Students in this course will explore how individuals develop and learn within the context of their cultural, linguistic, and academic experiences. Co-teaching instructional plans based on diverse student characteristics, student performance data, and curriculum goals will be developed. Students can take EDUC 110 and EDUC 280 at the same time.

This course will provide a current and comprehensive overview of research and theory related to human learning. The course will emphasize major concepts of learning theory but will also cover relevant motivational and developmental theories. The course will underscore the relationship between theory, research, and practice. Meets the general education social science or business management requirement. Prerequisite: EDUC101; Corequisite: EDUC 280. (Offered every term.)

Emphasis is on teaching reading and writing in content areas from grades 6 through 12. Relationships between reading, literacy, and writing within content areas are established and ways of meeting the needs of culturally diverse and dysfunctional students are explored. Candidates design appropriate learning experiences and apply reading-study skills to the content areas. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education Program. (Offered spring semester.)

This course will investigate the structures of a safe and healthy learning environment that facilitates cultural and linguistic responsiveness, positive social interaction, active engagement, and academic risk-taking. A three tiered level of positive behavior supports (PBS) will be explored as a framework for creating plans to accomplish a productive learning environment. Prerequisite: EDUC 280

The purpose of this course is to build your understanding of the link between instruction and assessment and the teacher’s role in monitoring and assessing student learning. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to develop, design, and implement both formal and informal reliable assessments. The student will explore multiple approaches to planning and assessments by learning to describe the advantages and limitations of assessments types. These types will include simple and complex forms such as multiple-choice items, interpretive exercise (using pictorial info like charts and graphs), essay, performance-based, and portfolio). Students will write and select lesson goals, objectives, and assessments that are designed to inform their instruction and student performance. Additionally, students will develop their personal philosophy of grading, identify issues of equity in testing, and understand the importance of data collection and analysis. Students will learn about how to select and/or develop measurement tools such as rubrics and other assessment tools and apps. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education Program. (Offered every semester)

A study of social and philosophical assumptions related to curricula, materials, and methods of instruction pertinent to middle grades students. Focus is on organizing classes, making curricular decisions, determining methods and selecting learning resources along with the literacy needs of the middle grades student. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education Program. (Offered fall semesters.)

After admission to the professional internship, candidates receive student teaching placements. Candidates work with their cooperating teachers during the first week of school. Five days of clinical experience required. Prerequisite: Admission to the Professional Internship. (Offered fall semester)

Candidates complete their full semester professional internship and EdTPA assessment. *K-12 physical education majors are required to complete eight weeks of student teaching in conjunction with EDUC 424. Prerequisite: Admission to the Professional Internship. (Offered every semester.)

The seminar addresses professional topics within the field of education. In addition, the seminar provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to focus on the required performance assessment. The performance assessment, aligned with state standards, is an authentic assessment tool that shows how teacher candidates develop and evaluate student learning. The centerpiece is a portfolio that describes and documents authentic practices from the candidate’s teaching experience. The portfolio addresses planning, instruction, assessment, analyzing teaching, and academic language to reveal the impact of a candidate’s teaching performance on student learning. As a capstone seminar, the course requires students reflect mastery of self-reflection and critical self-awareness, collaboration across disciplines, communication in multiple modes with multiple audiences, and reflection on how Christian faith impacts and guides their daily work. The seminar topics and tasks guide and support the candidate’s progress in the teaching profession. Meets the general education senior seminar requirement.