Social Studies What and Why TCH 347 Social

Social Studies: What and Why TCH 347 Social Studies in the Elementary School Department of Education Shippensburg University Han Liu, Ph. D.

What is Social Studies? Social Sciences n Humanity n 21 st Century Skills n

Social Sciences Culture n History n Geography n Civics/Government n Economics n Psychology n Sociology n Anthropology n

Humanities Philosophy n Logic n Religion n Visual & Performing Arts n Literature n Ethics n Music n

NCSS: 10 Themes n n n n n Culture Time, Continuity, and Change People, Places, and Environment Individual Development and Identity Individuals, Groups, and Institutions Power, Authority, and Governance Production, Distribution, and Consumption Science, Technology, and Society Global Connections Civic Ideals and Practices

Social Studies Knowledge Discipline, e. g. Economics n Theme, e. g. Global Connections n Topic, e. g. Industrial revolution n

Topics World religion n US constitution n Gender equality n Civil rights n Environment n Global warming n… n

Attitudes & Values American values n Universal values n

Skills Democratic participatory skills n Thinking skills n Study skills n Intellectual skills n

Why Do We Need to Learn Social Studies? To help students develop: n Social Understanding: Knowledge of human beings’ social worlds, and n Civic Efficacy: the readiness and willingness to assume citizenship responsibilities and the belief that one can make a difference n