Social Studies Major
Overview
The Department of History and Political Science administers the degree
program in Social Studies and combines the following components: History,
Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Economics and Geography.
The first four components have full departmental status; Economics is part of
the Business and Economics degree program. Geography is a department not offering
degrees, except as part of Social Studies and is administered out of the History
and Political Science departments.
The degree program in Social Studies provides a broad and integrative approach
to these disciplines and can be pursued as a 34-credit bachelor of arts degree
(with History concentration) or as a 54-60 credit Broad Field Social Studies
degree (with History, Political Science, or Sociology concentration) for
secondary teacher certification.
The Social Studies program seeks to serve the needs of students desiring the
broader orientation to its respective areas rather than specialization in any one of them.
In accordance with these needs, the objectives of the Social Studies program are:
1. A broad and integrated understanding of the economic, political, social and
cultural bases of society, past and present;
2. An appreciation of cultural contributions, ethnic differences, human
relationships and their interaction upon each other;
3. An awareness of the effects of bias and prejudice on human society,
specifically providing cognitive factors for the Human Relations component
of the teacher preparation programs;
4. An acquaintance with community resources that deal with issues in
contemporary society and methods of dealing creatively with problem areas.
Social Studies Major: 34 credits
Required courses for Major: HS 100, 201, 202, 314, 401, 402 plus five three-credit
courses with one in each of the following areas: Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Economics
Tracks in Major:
Broad Field Social Studies
Broad Field Social Studies Major for Middle/Secondary Teachers
Pre-Law (Social Studies Major)
Social Studies Minor for Elementary Teachers
Broad Field Social Studies Major for Middle/Secondary Teachers: 54 credits
(Please see Department Chair for other Broad Field programs).
Plan A: Completion of a minimum of 55 semester credits to include
a 22 semester credit concentration in History, Political Science,
or Sociology; and a minimum of 32 semester credits distributed over
at least three of the other Social Studies subjects, Economics,
Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology.
Plan B: Completion of a minimum of 55 credits to include a 34
semester credit concentration in History, Political Science, or
Sociology; and a minimum of 21 semester credits distributed over
at least two of the other listed Social Studies subjects. These
courses will vary depending on the 34-credit concentration.
The Department of Public Instruction approved models for Plans A
and B (contained in the Stritch Teacher Certification Programs)
are to be followed in selecting courses to fulfill the Broad Field
Social Studies major for teaching preparation.
Both plans also include fulfillment of the legislative statutes
(Section 40, 43 ([6] and PL 3.03 [3]2-5)) requiring "adequate instruction"
in the areas of Environmental Studies and Cooperatives. These requirements
may be met by taking BL/CH 210, GE 101 or GE 102 (for Environmental Studies);
and EC 201 (for Cooperatives); or as directed study apart from the above courses.
Certification in Broad Field Social Studies will permit teaching in the 22 or
34-credit area of concentration and the fusion courses (e.g., Civics, Social
Problems, American Problems, etc.). Social Studies subjects in which at least
9 approved credits have been completed may lead to extended certification.
Social Studies Minor for Elementary Teachers: 24 credits
GE 102 Cultural Geography
HS 100
One of HS 241, 242, or 243
POLS 102 American Government
SC 203 Racial and Ethnic Groups
In addition, courses in either a History emphasis, Political Science emphasis, or Sociology emphasis as follows:
History Emphasis:
One approved course in European/World History
One approved course in Intercultural History
One Seminar (Research/Historiography)
Political Science Emphasis:
POLS 201 Comparative Politics
or
POLS 206 International Relations
One approved Political Science elective
POLS 401 Seminar
Sociology Emphasis:
SC 101 Introductory Sociology
SC 380 Research Methods
SC 201 Contemporary Social Problems or one approved Sociology elective
Faculty
William J. Dahlk
Adjunct Instructor
(414) 410-4540
wjdahlk@stritch.edu
Mary T. Duarte
Assistant Professor
(414) 410-4541
mtduarte@stritch.edu
Justine Peter, OSF
Professor
(414) 410-4190
jpeter@stritch.edu