Mar 29, 2024  
Mansfield University 2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Social Studies: History Education, Bachelor of Science in Education


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Offered by the Department of History, Philsophy and Political Science
Professor Carpenter, Guenther, Newman
Associate Professors Bosworth (chairperson), Chua, Gaskievicz, Holderby, McEvoy, Rothermel


The Department of History and Political Science offers two history degrees: a B.A. in History, and a B.S.Ed. in Social Studies/History. We offer minors in history, political science, international studies, and environmental studies.

The past is a living, dynamic subject and very much a part of today. This program in the humanities provides a solid background in the methods and concepts of historical investigation and introduces students to the various schools of historical interpretation. It includes courses in American, European, and Non-Western history, as well as a wide variety of arts and sciences courses.  The Bachelor of Science in Education:  Social Studies History Education program is designed to meet the certification requirements set by the Commonwealth of Education.  Completion of the Social Studies History Education program prepares students to teach economics, geography, history, political science, and psychology.

The mission of the History Program includes

  • Providing a broad, balanced education in the discipline of history
  • Developing skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and communicating (both written and oral) through research and applications
  • Nurturing attitudes and values conducive to lifelong learning and to active, effective citizenship
  • Encouraging the academic study of leadership and leadership skills in historical contexts

Vision

The History programs of Mansfield University prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills to be effective historians.  Students who pursue a B.S.Ed. degree in Social Studies,  History are trained to be reflective teachers who believe that all students can learn and help them to do so. The research and writing skills developed in our programs also open opportunities in many other areas. History is excellent preparation for law school. Combined with the appropriate courses, it provides a good background for journalism. Producers of television shows, documentaries, and movies, with settings in the past, all have research staffs to insure historically accurate productions. History graduates work in such diverse careers as editing publications, archival management, foreign service, and museums.

Goals and Values

The History program promotes the acquisition of historical knowledge, critical thinking, writing, and research skills in the context of a liberal arts education.   The program supports the Mansfield Plan goal of making a liberal arts education the foundation for every student.  To do that, it offers numerous courses approved for the General Education program.  The program also supports the Mansfield Plan’s goal to improve the first year experience, provide superior academic advising, and develop programs that encourage faculty to interact with and mentor students. 

Program Objectives

  • Promote the acquisition of historical knowledge, critical thinking, writing, and research skills in the context of a liberal arts education.
  • Provide students with the discipline-based content knowledge to enable them to be content experts and lifelong learners.
  • Recognize the importance of reflection in decision-making in a classroom environment.

Student Learning Outcomes

In all history programs students will accomplish the following:

  • Demonstrate factual and conceptual understanding of historical events.
  • Articulate knowledge of global societies, their historical geographies, and their comparative historical contexts.
  • Reflect an understanding of the roles of race, class, gender, and ethnicity in history.
  • Acquire a familiarity with the uses and limitations of multiple forms of evidence and sources when researching a topic.
  • Recognize and demonstrate use of multiple forms of evidence and sources when researching a topic.
  • Write clear, well organized, properly documented, and grammatical prose.

Students following the Social Studies: History Program will also be able to accomplish the following:

  • Demonstrate professional reflection that supports continuing critical and constructive self-assessment leading to professional growth.
  • Support and maintain positive classroom environments that are conducive to student learning in social studies.
  • Demonstrate ability to plan and prepare effective instruction in social studies that leads to student learning.
  • Deliver effective and appropriate instruction that leads to student learning in social studies.
  • Demonstrate ability to meet professional responsibilities.
  • Demonstrate professional knowledge and skills on Praxis II examination as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).
  • Conduct themselves in accordance with Pennsylvania’s Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators and the Mansfield University dispositions policy.
  • Articulate and explain the ten thematic strands in social studies set forth by the National Council for the Social Studies.
  • Demonstrate the ability to plan, teach, and impact student learning in the social studies classroom.

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