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The state of WV requires either a B.A. in history/social studies or a minimum of 48 credit hours in social studies course. Students will need knowledge of history, government/political science, geography, economics, and the behavioral sciences. The questions on the Praxis test are categorized as follows:
U.S. History: 26 questions; 20%
World History: 26 questions; 20%
Government/Civics/Political Science: 26 questions; 20%
Geography: 19 questions; 15%
Economics: 20 questions; 15%
Behavioral Science: 13 questions; 10%
The Wheeling University core curriculum provides all students, regardless of their major, with the skills that will allow them to pursue their own integral development and to contribute to the common good. All Wheeling University students must complete this Core Curriculum in addition to the requirements of their major. View Core Curriculum »
PSYC 110
General Psychology
3 cr
A survey of contemporary psychology, including the topics of conditioning and learning, sensation and perception, psychophysiology, motivation and emotion, memory and cognition, development, social behavior, psychological testing, personality, psychopathology and psychotherapy. Participation in research projects or an alternative exercise is required.
Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
PSYC 212
Developmental Psychology
3 cr
An analysis of development throughout the life-span, with a special emphasis on various theoretical approaches to development. Designed for non-psychology majors. Students taking this course should not take PSYC 214, 216, or Prerequisite: PSYC 110.
Course Offered: Spring of every odd year
PSYC 220
Educational Psychology
3 cr
A study of the cognitive and affective dimensions of student behavior with an emphasis on the theoretical conceptions of learning which underlie education methods. Professional Education students should register for the section designated for them.
Prerequisite: PSYC 110. Course Offered: Every Fall
EDUC 210
Educational Technology
3 cr
Experiences in teaching in technology, with technology, and through technology by incorporating hands-on work with computers and associated peripherals, the Internet, and content software. Strategies for effective integration of technology and the security and ethical issues associated with technology are included.
EDUC 231
Schools and Communities
2 cr
Introduction to teaching as a profession with an emphasis on exploring various perspectives on education through dialogue and activities related to current issues relevant to today’s classroom teachers. Topics include teacher dispositions, challenges teachers and schools face, influence of the law on education, standards and assessment, and the global educational context. The field component involves tutoring and/or leading learning activities with children. (10 Hours Field Placement in Schools Required)
EDUC 232
Classroom and Teacher Roles
3 cr
Study of teaching, focusing on classroom pedagogical and management strategies, development of objectives, and lesson planning, as well as discussion of the various roles of a teacher. Attention also given to co-teaching and collaboration. The field component involves observation and teaching experience under the guidance of a K-12 mentor teacher. There is a focus on reflections related to planning, pacing, and teaching strategies. (30 Hours Field Placement in Schools Required)
EDUC 310, 311, or 312*
cr
EDUC 310*
Curriculum Development & Methods: Secondary English/Language Arts
3 cr
Study of English/Language Arts curriculum, incorporating specific methods to prepare students to teach secondary English/Language Arts. (40 Hours Field Placement in Schools Required)
Prerequisite: Admitted to Education Program.
EDUC 311*
Curriculum Development & Methods: Secondary Mathematics & Science
3 cr
117 Study of mathematics and science curriculum, incorporating specific methods to prepare students to teach secondary math and science. (20 Hours Field Placement in Schools Required)
Prerequisite: Admitted to Education Program.
EDUC 312*
Curriculum Development & Methods: Secondary Social Studies
3 cr
Study of Social Studies curriculum incorporating specific methods to prepare students to teach secondary Social Studies. (20 Hours Field Placement in Schools Required)
Prerequisite: Admitted to Education Program
EDUC 320
The Special Education Process
3 cr
Study of the history of special education incorporating significant legislation, litigation, and trends. Important practices, including the referral process, functional behavior assessments, transition plans, 504 plans, IEPs, and the continuum of classroom services. (30 Hours Field Placement in Schools Required).
Prerequisite: Admitted to Education Program.
EDUC 333C
Exceptionality and Diversity in the Classroom
3 cr
Overview of the characteristics and needs of exceptional and diverse learners. This course focuses on the curricular and instructional alternatives that address these needs. Emphasis will be on accommodations and modifications, data collection, assistive technology, and collaboration.
Co-requisites: In the event a teacher candidate is completing coursework leading toward a multi-categorical endorsement SPED 333C and SPED 333F are to be completed concurrently. Prerequisite: Admitted to Education Program.
EDUC 334
Reading in Content Areas
3 cr
Systematic introduction to current theory, research, and practice in the integration of literacy activities across content areas. Student work in cooperative groups to design, publish, and present a unit of study (or unit plan) using literacy strategies to address and assess content standards and objectives. The course involves simulated teaching discussion, position papers, reflective papers, and peer response. (30 Hours Field Placement in Schools Required).
Prerequisite: Admitted to Education Program
EDUC 473
WVTPA/Action Research
1 cr
Capstone activity in which students work with children in specific and assigned classes in a K-12 school in the licensure content and programmatic area(s), develop action research projects. They will prepare and present a summary of research-related activities and their results.
Prerequisite: Department approval.
EDUC 475
Student-Teaching Seminar
1 cr
Further development of knowledge and skills vital to successful teaching, examination of contemporary issues in education and development of a professional portfolio. This class is taken in conjunction with student teaching.
Corequisites: EDUC 475 and EDUC 481. Prerequisite: Department approval. *Satisfies EXSL Core Requirement.
EDUC 476
Evaluation
2 cr
Continuation of the development of the knowledge and skills needed to assess various aspects of teaching and achievement by all learners, the appropriate role of reflection and self-evaluation, the examination of research on assessment, and current reform movements. Also presented will be classroom, program, individual, formative, summative, traditional, and alternative assessment models.
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
EDUC 481
Student Teaching
Variable 3 [ACT] – 11 cr
A full semester (14 weeks) of teaching experience in specific and assigned classes in a K-12 school in the licensure content and programmatic area(s) under the direct supervision of a cooperating teacher selected by University faculty.
Prerequisite: Department approval.
HIST 211
History of the American People I
3 cr
This course is an introduction to selected topics in American civilization from the colonial period to 1877. The objective of the course is to provide the student with a general but comprehensive understanding of American exploration, colonization, the Independence movement, the birth of American democracy, political party development, industrialization, reform movements, sectionalism, and reconstruction.
Course Offered: Fall of every even year
HIST 212
History of the American People II
3 cr
This course explores the social, cultural, political, intellectual, and economic development of the United States after the Civil War. Specific topics include, but are not limited to: Reconstruction, Industrialization, Immigration, the Labor Movement, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, Civil Rights, the Vietnam War era, and the Conservative Revival of the 1970s and 1980s.
Course Offered: Spring of every odd year
HIST 214
History of Appalachia
3 cr
An introduction to the history of the institutions and people of the Appalachian mountain region from the earliest years of exploration to the present.
Course Offered: Every Fall
HIS 352
Topics in The Western Tradition
3 cr
This course is a broad survey of European political, social, economic and cultural traditions and how those traditions have been spread throughout the world. Stress will be placed on selected problems viewed from conflicting historical interpretations. Students will use primary and secondary sources and make oral and written presentations on the problems they have studied. (only offered every other year)
Course Offered: Spring of every even year
POSC 120
American Political Process
3 cr
Operations of the American government and their consequences for the population. Policies on management of the economy, defense and foreign policy, poverty, race relations. Roles of the Presidency, bureaucracy, Congress, courts. Nature of elite and mass political ideas and opinions.
The following are course required for the Social Studies concentration at West Liberty
cr
ECON 211
Macroeconomics
3 cr
A presentation of basic macroeconomic relationships. Topics emphasized are: the determination of income and employment, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation, interest rates and economic growth.
Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
ECON 212
Microeconomics
3 cr
A presentation of basic theories of consumer behavior and of the firm. Other topics include: study of elasticity, firm and industry equilibrium under various market structures and international trade.
Prerequisite: ECON 211 Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
SOCI 121
World Community
3 cr
An introduction to the global environment. Topics include world geography, comparative cultures, international conflict and economic interdependence.
Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
EDUC 316
Grammar
3 cr
Study of grammar and instructional strategies for teaching the conventions of language. Focus is on integrating the teaching of grammar in the context of writing activities. Students will analyze their own writing and develop instructional strategies for incorporating grammar into the K-6 curriculum. Required of all Elementary Education and secondary English majors.
EDUC 231
2cr
PSYC 110
3cr
HIST 110
3cr
ENGL 110W
3cr
POSC 120
3cr
WJUS 103
3cr
Total Credits
17cr
EDUC 232
3cr
PSYC 212 OR PSYC 216
3cr
HIST 214
3cr
MATH 109
3cr
EDUC 316
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
SUMMER: Praxis CORE Exam or Exempt from Praxis with ACT=26 or SAT=1170
HIST 211
3cr
SOCI 121
3cr
EDUC 210
3cr
ECON 211
3cr
EDUC 320
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
EDUC 333C
3cr
Core (Effective Communication - Writing Intensive Sequence #2
3cr
SOCI 110
3cr
ECON 212
3cr
Core (Global Perspectives)
3cr
POSC 212
3cr
Total Credits
18cr
EDUC 312
3cr
HIST 115
3cr
POSC 120
3cr
HIST 212
3cr
GEOG 1XX
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
EDUC 334
3cr
POSC 211
3cr
GEOG 1XX
3cr
Core (Foundations & Integration - Humanities)
3cr
Core (Global Perspectives)
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
HIST 351
3cr
PSYC 220
3cr
Core (Empirical Analysis-Natural Science)
3cr
Core (Foundations & Integration - Ethics)
3cr
Core (Effective Communication - Effective Speaking)
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
EDUC 475
1cr
EDUC 476
2cr
EDUC 481
11cr
EDUC 473
1cr
Total Credits
15cr
**Year one must complete Praxis I-CORE tests or exempt with ACT=26 or SAT=1170 **Year three must complete Praxis II Content Student must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exams in order to be accepted into the Education Department. Additionally, students must possess and subsequently maintain a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 overall. Once admitted to the Education Department, students must maintain an average of a 3.0 GPA in the major, as well as in Education and Psychology courses. Prior to student teaching, students must pass the Praxis Content Exams. In order to obtain teacher certification, students must successfully complete all required national Praxis Examinations through the Educational Testing Service (ETS).