2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

History (B.A./B.S.) - Teaching Specialization

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus


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Program Coordinator/Contact

Dale Potts, Associate Professor of History
School of American and Global Studies
Lincoln Hall 215, Box 2212
605-688-6345

Program Information

The history curriculum is adaptable to personal interests and needs, allowing students to explore the past and make connections to the present. Students pursuing a History Teaching Specialization may select either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in preparation for careers in various fields related to education. The program also provides a necessary background for graduate work or other specialized training.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure

  • Completion of an approved bachelor’s Secondary preparation program.
  • Completion of an approved South Dakota Indian studies course.
  • Pass the state designated content knowledge test or 2.7 GPA in content major coursework.
  • Pass the state designated pedagogy test.
  • Completion of a Suicide Awareness and Prevention training, available free online through the South Dakota Department of Education.
  • Apply online with the South Dakota Department of Education.
  • Written recommendation from institution of higher education (SDSU) verifying program completion.

Course Delivery Format

The program provides courses online and face to face on campus and at various off-campus attendance centers.

Student Learning Outcomes


Students with a major in History will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the most important historical events in U.S. History, including an in-depth study of issues facing minorities within the U.S.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the most important historical events beyond the United States.
  • Interpret the past in context; contextualize the past on its own terms.
  • Develop a disciplined, skeptical stand and outlook on the world that demands evidence and a sophisticated use of information. This includes recognizing the difference between strong and weak arguments based on evidence, seeking use of proper citations and peer review in other works.
  • Demonstrate an awareness that knowledge is often incomplete or imperfect, and thus multiple alternatives must be considered and conclusions are subject to change.
  • Know the difference between primary and secondary documents, demonstrate how and when to cite in the format of the profession.
  • Identify and summarize the historical arguments of other scholars.
  • Frame a historical question and develop research strategies to address it, generate historical argument that is reasoned and based on evidence selected, arranged and analyzed.
  • Effectively navigate the library and online databases, as well as the archives or in the community for primary sources, peer-reviewed literature and book reviews.

Academic Requirements


Requirements for History Major - Teaching Specialization: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements


College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements


  • One declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
  • Capstone course in the major discipline
  • Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 6+

  • Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 10+

  • Natural Sciences   Credits: 10+
    • Any two lab sciences.
    • Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
    • MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Upper-Level Elective Requirements


Select 6 credits of 300-400 level U.S. History, 6 credits of 300-400 level World History, and 3 additional credits of 300-400 level History from the US or World History Electives. Credits: 15

** Approved internship credits (HIST 494) taken in another country or focused on a World History (non-US) subject will count as upper-level World History Elective credits; approved internship credits taken in the US and focused on US history will count as upper-level US History Elective credits.

A maximum of 6 credits from a non-History prefix will be accepted towards the upper-level elective requirements.

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Arts

System General Education Requirements* 30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements** 6+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements 36 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements 37 Credit Hours
Electives*** 11 Credit Hours

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements* 30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements** 10+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements 36 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements 37 Credit Hours
Electives*** 13 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements, Supporting Coursework, and College Requirements.
**System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
***Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

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