Social Studies
Dr. Jacki Hedlund Tyler, Director
Patterson Hall 103M
509.359.2414
program web page
Required courses in these programs of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.
Undergraduate Program
The Social Studies Education program is housed in the History, Anthropology, Modern Languages & Literature Department and supported by the following departments: Economics, Geosciences, Political Science, and others. Students interested in pursuing an in-depth study of the social sciences or Social Studies Education should consult with the Social Studies Director to develop an individual program of study. The program offers a major in Social Studies Education and a minor in History Education.
The Social Studies Education program at Eastern Washington University assists students seeking a bachelors degree with a Teaching Certificate in Social Studies Secondary Education or a History Minor Endorsement. This program provides a broad-based preparation for teachers of Social Studies and History in grades 5–12.
Social Studies teachers have the awesome responsibility of teaching multiple disciplines (including History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, and Anthropology) and producing informed global citizens capable of taking an active role in their communities. Social Studies teachers must provide students with the skills to think about as well as learn from past and present cultures, governments, and global issues. Social Studies Education helps students learn to see and interpret the world, to understand how humanity arrived at this moment, and to make reasoned decisions for the public good.
For information on program requirements, contact the Director of Social Studies Education.
The Social Studies Education program also supports the Add-On Endorsements for Social Studies Education and History Education for those who have already earned a Washington State Teaching Certificate. Additionally, all Master’s in Teaching candidates seeking the Social Studies endorsement must work with the Social Studies Education program to complete required coursework.
Social Studies Courses
SOST 199. SPECIAL STUDIES. 1-5 Credits.
SOST 206. CAREERS IN TEACHING. 3 Credits.
Cross-listed: ENGL 206, ART 206, GNML 206, MUSC 206.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
Combines an introduction to a career in teaching with experience in K-12 Education. Focuses on teaching roles within the fields of English, Social Studies, Music, Art, and Languages. Students explore career pathways, educator responsibilities, educational systems and structures, and current professional teaching examples. Students complete research, readings, and class discussions, in addition to an experiential learning activity in a K-12 classroom setting.
SOST 299. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
SOST 300. PEOPLES AND GOVERNANCE OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–diversity.
Study of the history of the Pacific Northwest, with a specific focus on spaces that become the state of Washington, as well as the government structures and cultural practices developed by all peoples in the region. Students engage in tribal, territorial, state, and federal histories of governance as well as examine the experiences of diverse populations that have lived in the Pacific Northwest.
SOST 350. INQUIRY BASED LEARNING & DESIGN. 3 Credits.
Notes: a grade of ≥B- is required to count towards the program.
Pre-requisites: SOST 390.
Inquiry based learning encourages student-centered education focused on exploring and discovery. Inquiry, as the name suggests, resides at the heart of the Inquiry Based Learning method and design model as it promotes developing complex questions, building research skills, forming information literacy, and connecting curriculum to real-world problems. This course asks students to evaluate and engage with both current and emerging practices in Inquiry Based Learning.
SOST 390. SOCIAL STUDIES METHODS AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: must complete HIST 103, HIST 111, HIST 112, HIST 204, each with a grade ≥B-, before registering.
This course will address teaching methods, classroom management, and lesson plan development specific to Social Studies Education.
SOST 396. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
SOST 399. DIR STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
SOST 400. SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION ASSESSMENT. 1-3 Credits.
Notes: a grade of ≥B- is required to pass this course.
Pre-requisites: must complete SOST 390 with a grade ≥B-.
Addresses assessment methods, techniques, and practices specific to Social Studies Secondary Education. Students develop an understanding and implementation of state and national standards for Social Studies Education.
SOST 490. SENIOR CAPSTONE SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: must complete SOST 390 with a grade ≥B- before registering.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
This course will include a quarter-long research project that addresses theories, methods, and content for Social Studies Education curriculum.
SOST 495. INTERNSHIP. 1-5 Credits.
SOST 496. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
SOST 499. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor and the department chair and college dean.
Distribution List of Acceptable Upper Division Social Science Requirement Courses:
American, Asian, Civics and Diplomatic Studies, European, Latin
American History
Asian History
Civics and Diplomatic Studies—HIST 477 is the preferred course for this requirement.
European History
Latin American History