1.0

Standard 1: Have Content Area Knowledge

The program will provide candidates with a minor (20 semester hour minimum) or a major (30 semester hour minimum) providing in-depth knowledge of the content specified in Michigan Curriculum Framework content standards for Political Science. 

Major consists of 30 credit hours

Minor consists of 20 credit hours

Required classes are in BOLD.

Taking into account the education needs of students, the teacher candidate is able to use a variety of resources and specialized analyses of political data to:

1.1

describe the purposes of state and local governments in the United States; 

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

The required course PLSC 112/3 gives students an introduction to the nature of American federalism, the division of power between local, state and federal government. Upper level restricted electives that address issues of state and local government are PLSC 202, PLSC 216, PLSC 270, PLSC 330, and PLSC 332.

Minor:

The required course PLSC 112/3 gives students an introduction to the nature of American federalism, the division of power between local, state and federal government. Upper level restricted electives that address issues of state and local government are PLSC 202, PLSC 216, PLSC 270, PLSC 330, and PLSC 332.

1.2

describe the purposes of the national government in the United States;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

The required course PLSC 112/3, American Government, introduces students to the key concepts and functions of American government. The restricted upper-level elective in American politics, public law and administration, provides in depth instruction in the area of national government. This restricted elective includes the classes , PLSC 301, PLSC 312, PLSC 313, PLSC 332, PLSC 352, PLSC 358, PLSC 364, PLSC 380, PLSC 381, and PLSC 385.

Minor:

The required course PLSC 112/3, American Government, introduces students to the key concepts and functions of American government. The restricted upper-level elective in American politics, public law and administration, provides in depth instruction in the area of national government. This restricted elective includes the classes, PLSC 301, PLSC 312, PLSC 313, PLSC 332, PLSC 352, PLSC 358, PLSC 364, PLSC 380, PLSC 381, and PLSC 385

1.3

describe how citizens organize government to accomplish their purposes and assess their effectiveness;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

The required course PLSC 112/3, American Government, introduces students to the key concepts and functions of American government. The restricted upper-level elective in American politics, public law and administration, provides in depth instruction in the study of government organization and effectiveness of public policy.  This restricted elective includes the courses, PLSC 213, PLSC 352, PLSC 358, PLSC 359, PLSC 364, PLSC 420, PLSC 422, and PLSC 431.

Minor:

The required course PLSC 112/3, American Government, introduces students to the key concepts and functions of American government. The restricted upper-level elective in American politics, public law and administration, provides in depth instruction in the study of government organization and effectiveness of public policy.  This restricted elective includes the classes , PLSC 213, PLSC 352, PLSC 358, PLSC 359, PLSC 364, PLSC 420, PLSC 422, and PLSC 431.

1.4

explain the meaning and origin of the ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other foundational documents of the United States;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

In PLSC 112/3, students receive a comprehensive introduction to the central documents of democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Upper-level classes that focus on founding documents include PLSC 213, Political Thought and PLSC 301, American Legal System. Within the upper-level restricted elective in American politics, public law and administration, the courses PLSC 312, PLSC 313, PLSC 420

and PLSC 422 each address issues of foundational documents and their interpretation over our nation’s history.

Minor:

In PLSC 112/3, students receive a comprehensive introduction to the central documents of democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Upper-level classes that focus on founding documents include PLSC 213, Political Thought and PLSC 301, American Legal System. Within the upper-level restricted elective in American politics, public law and administration, the courses PLSC 312, PLSC 313, PLSC 420 and PLSC 422 each address issues of foundational documents and their interpretation over our nation’s history.

1.5

explain the meaning and origin of the core democratic values expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other foundational documents of the United States;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

In PLSC 112/3, students receive a comprehensive introduction to the central documents and core values of democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Upper-level classes that focus on founding documents include PLSC 213, Political Thought and PLSC 301, American Legal System. Within the upper-level restricted elective in American politics, public law and administration, the courses PLSC 312, PLSC 313, PLSC 420 and PLSC 422 each address issues of foundational documents and their interpretation over our nation’s history.

Minor:

In PLSC 112/3, students receive a comprehensive introduction to the central documents and core values of democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Upper-level classes that focus on founding documents include PLSC 213, Political Thought and PLSC 301, American Legal System. Within the upper-level restricted elective in American politics, public law and administration, the courses PLSC 312, PLSC 313, PLSC 420 and PLSC 422 each address issues of foundational documents and their interpretation over our nation’s history

1.6

describe the political and legal processes created to make decisions, seek consensus, and resolve conflicts in a free society;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

The required course, PLSC 112/3 introduces students to the American political and legal process, and to mechanisms for conflict resolution within the political system. The upper level course, PLSC 301 American legal system, provides students instruction in the mechanisms of legal and political change in U.S. history. Upper level restricted electives in American politics, public law and administration address this topic in greater depth. These courses include PLSC 301, PLSC 312, PLSC 313, PLSC 332, PLSC 364, PLSC 380, PLSC 381, and PLSC 385.

Minor:

The required course, PLSC 112/3 introduces students to the American political and legal process, and to mechanisms for conflict resolution within the political system. The upper level course, PLSC 301 American legal system, provides students instruction in the mechanisms of legal and political change in U.S. history. Upper level restricted electives in American politics, public law and administration address this topic in greater depth. These courses include PLSC 301, PLSC 312, PLSC 313, PLSC 332, PLSC 364, PLSC 380, PLSC 381, and PLSC 385.

1.7

explain how American governmental institutions at the local, state, and federal levels provide for the limitation and sharing of power;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

The required course PLSC 112/3, provides students with an introduction to federalism and the division of responsibilities between the federal, state and local levels of government. Upper level restricted electives in American politics, public law and administration address these issues in greater depth. These courses include PLSC 202, PLSC 364, PLSC 380, and PLSC 385.

Minor:

The required course PLSC 112/3, provides students with an introduction to federalism and the division of responsibilities between the federal, state and local levels of government. Upper level restricted electives in American politics, public law and administration address these issues in greater depth. These courses include PLSC 202, PLSC 364, PLSC 380, and PLSC 385.

1.8

explain how the nation’s political system provides for the exercise of power;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

The required course, PLSC 112/3, provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the American political system and its exercise of power. Upper level courses in the restricted elective in American politics, public law and administration address this issue in greater depth. These courses include PLSC 202, PLSC 301, PLSC 327, PLSC 364, PLSC 380, PLSC 385, PLSC 420, and PLSC 422.

Minor:

The required course, PLSC 112/3, provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the American political system and its exercise of power. Upper level courses in the restricted elective in American politics, public law and administration address this issue in greater depth. These courses include PLSC 202, PLSC 301, PLSC 327, PLSC 364, PLSC 380, PLSC 385, PLSC 420, and PLSC 422.

1.9

explain how the world is organized politically, including governmental systems and power relationships beyond government; and

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

The required course, PLSC 112/3 introduces students to issues of the U.S.’s role in world politics. The restricted elective in Comparative Politics and International Relations gives students a deeper understanding of world political organization and comparative politics. Courses in this restricted elective include PLSC 211, PLSC 212, PLSC 341, PLSC 342, PLSC 412, and PLSC 467.

Minor:

The required course, PLSC 112/3 introduces students to issues of the U.S.’s role in world politics. The restricted elective in Comparative Politics and International Relations gives students a deeper understanding of world political organization and comparative politics. Courses in this restricted elective include PLSC 211, PLSC 212, PLSC 341, PLSC 342, PLSC 412, and PLSC 467.

1.10

explain how American foreign policy is formed and describe the roles the United States plays in the international arena. 

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

The required course PLSC 112/3 introduces students to foreign policy issues, and how the U.S. government sets and implements these policies. The upper level restricted electives in Comparative Politics and International Relations provide in depth instruction in specific time periods and areas of the world in American foreign policy and its effects. These courses in the restricted elective include PLSC 221, PLSC 222, PLSC 327, PLSC 342, and PLSC 467.

Minor:

The required course PLSC 112/3 introduces students to foreign policy issues, and how the U.S. government sets and implements these policies. The upper level restricted electives in Comparative Politics and International Relations provide in depth instruction in specific time periods and areas of the world in American foreign policy and its effects. These courses in the restricted elective include PLSC 221, PLSC 222, PLSC 327, PLSC 342, and PLSC 467.

2.0

Standard 2: Make Interdisciplinary Connections

The program will ensure that candidates understand the fundamental ideas, concepts and facts that provide the basis of the
K-12 content standards in each of the four core social studies disciplines, as specified in the Michigan Curriculum Framework.  Programs may include courses required as general education requirements; for example, an American Government course could supplement a political science minor.  An interdisciplinary course could be taught as part of a major or minor, such as an economic history course for a political science
major.  Clear indications of inter-disciplinary connections should be evidenced in the course syllabi and measures of candidate performance. 

Taking into account the discipline of political science, the teacher candidate is able to:

2.1

sequence chronologically major eras within United States history and key events within those eras in order to examine relationships and explain cause and effect;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

All majors are required to take HIST 102 Western Civilization 1648 – World War I and HIST103  Twentieth Century Civilization. These classes give students a background in the European and World History (including America) that affect the modern  global economy. The History electives His 123 United States to 1877 and  His 124 United States since 1877 cover all the time periods of U.S. history included in the MCF.

In HIST 481 Social Studies Teaching, all students complete a project using the Michigan History Themes project to design U.S. history instruction and assessment.

The Economics elective ECON 375 Economic History of the United States addresses the economic issues in U.S. history and how they affected U.S. society.

Minor:

The history electives,  His 102 Western Civilization 1648 – World War I and His 103  Twentieth Century Civilization,  give students a background in the European and World History (including America) that affect the modern  global economy. The History electives His 123 United States to 1877 and  His 124 United States since 1877 cover all the time periods of U.S. history included in the MCF.

In HIST 481 Social Studies Teaching, all students complete a project using the Michigan History Themes project to design U.S. history instruction and assessment.

The Economics elective ECON 375 Economic History of the United States addresses the economic issues in U.S. history and how they affected U.S. society.

2.2

describe the five themes of geography and apply them to basic world geography;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

Both of the geography courses that fulfill the requirements of  the major, GEOG 107 Introduction to Geography or

GEOG 110 World Regions,  give students a strong background in the study of geography and the Five Themes of Cultural Geography, as set down in the MCF.

Minor:

Both of the elective geography courses Geog 107 Introduction to Geography and

Geog 110 World Regions,  give students a strong background in the study of geography and the Five Themes of Cultural Geography, as set down in the MCF.

2.3

describe the market system and apply basic economic concepts as identified in the Michigan Curriculum Framework; and

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

One course in economics is required as a requirement of the Political Science major.

Minor:

The elective course ECON 201 provides an introduction to the economics of the market system.

2.4

describe the roles that women and minorities have played in American society. 

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

One class in multicultural/cross cultural studies is required by General Studies Requirements.

Minor:

One class in multicultural/cross cultural studies is required by General Studies Requirements.

3.0

Standard 3: Can Apply Social Science Perspectives

The program will help candidates develop skills in the crosscutting themes presented in the Michigan Curriculum Framework social studies content standards (inquiry, public discourse and decision making, and citizen involvement). 

The teacher candidate is able to:

3.1

acquire information from books, maps, newspapers, data sets, and other sources; organize and present the information in maps, graphs, charts, and time lines; interpret the meaning and significance of information; and use a variety of electronic technologies to assist in assessing and managing information;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

PLSC 112/3 introduces students to the use of information in political science. The upper level restricted electives PLSC 210 and PLSC 310 teach students methods of political research, writing, and information processing.

Minor:

PLSC 112/3 introduces students to the use of information in political science. The upper level restricted electives PLSC 210 and PLSC 310 teach students methods of political research, writing, and information processing.

3.2

conduct investigations including the ability to formulate a clear statement of questions, gather and organize information from a variety of sources, analyze and interpret information, formulate and test hypotheses, report results both orally and in writing, and make use of appropriate technology;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

PLSC 112/3 introduces students to the use of information in political science. The upper level restricted electives PLSC 210 and PLSC 310 teach students methods of political research, writing, and information processing.

Minor:

PLSC 112/3 introduces students to the use of information in political science. The upper level restricted electives PLSC 210 and PLSC 310 teach students methods of political research, writing, and information processing.

3.3

state issues clearly as questions of public policy, trace the origins of the issues, analyze various perspectives people bring to the issue, and evaluate possible ways to resolve the issue;

Elementary

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

PLSC 112/3 American Government requires student writing on issues of public policy, using historical and reasoned arguments for their position.

Major:

PLSC 112/3 American Government requires student writing on issues of public policy, using historical and reasoned arguments for their position.

3.4

engage in constructive conversation about matters of public concern by clarifying issues, considering opposing views, applying democratic values, anticipating consequences, and working toward making decisions;

Elementary

Major:

Major:

Secondary

Major:

PLSC 112/3 American Government requires student discussion of public policy, using historical and reasoned arguments for their position.

Major:

PLSC 112/3 American Government requires student discussion of public policy, using historical and reasoned arguments for their position.

3.5

compose coherent written essays that express positions on public issues and justify the positions with reasoned arguments; and

Elementary

Major:

Major:

Secondary

Major:

PLSC 112/3 American Government requires student writing on topics of public policy, using historical and reasoned arguments for their position.

Major:

PLSC 112/3 American Government requires student writing on topics of public policy, using historical and reasoned arguments for their position.

3.6

consider the effects of an individual’s actions on other people, how one acts in accordance with the rule of law, and how one acts in a virtuous and ethically responsible way as a member of society. 

Elementary

Major:

Major:

Secondary

Major:

PLSC 112/3 American Government

Includes instruction  on responsible citizenship.

Major:

PLSC 112/3 American Government

Includes instruction  on responsible citizenship.

4.0

Can Provide Social Studies Instruction  

The program will teach candidates how to design, present, and assess social studies instruction.  (Programs should provide evidence in field experiences or content area methods classes that candidates have developed instructional skills specifically related to political science.)

4.1

is knowledgeable about teaching methods, curriculum organization, and instructional materials in history; 

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

CURR 305 - Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, part of the professional  education sequence, teaches about curriculum design within the major for each student, and requires a unit in that major addressing state standards and benchmarks.

HIST 481 – The Teaching of Social Studies , the methods of teaching history and social studies course, further addresses powerful and authentic ways to teach and assess student knowledge based on the MCF.

Minor:

CURR 305 - Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, part of the professional  education sequence, teaches about curriculum design within the major for each student, and requires a unit in that major addressing state standards and benchmarks.

4.2

can design, present, and assess instructional activities in history as described in the Michigan Curriculum Framework teaching and learning standards (higher order thinking, deep knowledge, substantive conversations, and connections to the world beyond the classroom); 

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

CURR 305 - Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, part of the professional  education sequence, teaches about curriculum design within the major for each student, and requires a unit in that major addressing state standards and benchmarks.

HIST 481 – The Teaching of Social Studies , the methods of teaching history and social studies course, further addresses powerful and authentic ways to teach and assess student knowledge based on the MCF.

Minor:

CURR 305 - Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, part of the professional  education sequence, teaches about curriculum design within the major for each student, and requires a unit in that major addressing state standards and benchmarks.

4.3

has had multiple experiences presenting history content to students; 

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

CURR 305 - Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, part of the professional  education sequence, teaches about curriculum design within the major for each student, and requires a unit in that major addressing state standards and benchmarks.

In FETE 302, which accompanies CURR 305 - Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, students teach a lesson in a classroom on a topic in their major.

In FETE 304, which accompanies EDPS 340 INTRODUCTION TO ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION students create pre- and post-assessments in their major and implement these in the classroom.

HIST 481 – The Teaching of Social Studies , the methods of teaching history and social studies course, further addresses powerful and authentic ways to teach and assess student knowledge based on the MCF.

In student teaching, students teach a unit in their major field.

Minor:

CURR 305 - Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, part of the professional  education sequence, teaches about curriculum design within the major for each student, and requires a unit in that major addressing state standards and benchmarks.

In FETE 302, which accompanies CURR 305 – Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, students teach a lesson in a classroom on a topic in their major.

In FETE 304, which accompanies EDPS 340 INTRODUCTION TO ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION students create pre- and post-assessments in their major and implement these in the classroom.

In student teaching, students teach a unit in their major field.

4.4

has made sustained use of technology appropriate to teaching history; 

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

In HIST 481 – The Teaching of Social Studies , technology and the uses of it in the social studies classroom is woven into each topic, as electronic and print resources are given for each subject studies in the class.

In EDMT 330 - INSTRUCTIONAL APPLICATIONS OF MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY, students learn about a wide variety of technological resources, in accordance with the entry-level standards for Michigan teachers.

Minor:

In EDMT 330 - INSTRUCTIONAL APPLICATIONS OF MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY, students learn about a wide variety of technological resources, in accordance with the entry-level standards for Michigan teachers.

4.5

can implement the Michigan Curriculum Framework content standards in the history classroom; and

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

CURR 305 - Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, part of the professional  education sequence, teaches about curriculum design within the major for each student, and requires a unit in that major addressing state standards and benchmarks.

HIST 481 – The Teaching of Social Studies , the methods of teaching history and social studies course, further addresses powerful and authentic ways to teach and assess student knowledge based on the MCF.

Minor:

CURR 305 – Curriculum and Methods - Secondary, part of the professional education sequence, teaches about curriculum design within the major for each student, and requires a unit in that major addressing state standards and benchmarks.

4.6

will design and use assessments appropriate to the field of history.

Major:

Minor:

Secondary

Major:

In HIST 481 – The Teaching of Social Studies , assessment issues are woven into the class for each topic. Units created in HIST 481 – The Teaching of Social Studies  are required to contain both objective and alternative assessments, based on the MCF.

In EDPS 340 INTRODUCTION TO ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION, students create a Classroom Assessment Plan in their major field, which is based on the MCF standards and benchmarks.

Minor:

In EDPS 340 INTRODUCTION TO ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION, students create a Classroom Assessment Plan in their major field, which is based on the MCF standards and benchmarks.