This course will address several major aspects of teaching social studies. Initially, there will be a focus on the broad aims of the social studies (with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction). Secondly, the course will focus on developing social studies skills such as: critical, creative, and analytical thinking; problem solving; valuing; and decision-making. Third, the course will apply cooperative learning, vocabulary and concept formation, children’s literature, and online resources to the study of the social studies. Throughout the course, there will be a focus on the organization of curriculum, instructional methods and student assessment processes about the topics of Massachusetts, United States, and world history; geography skills and global awareness; economics principles and concepts; and US political principles. Credits: 4