Syllabus

Department of Teacher Education

University of Karachi

Syllabus: Teaching Social Studies

Year 2, Semester 4

Credit Hours: 3

Course Objectives:

After the completion of this course students will be able to:

• Review\reflect on the nature, methods, key concepts and skills in the disciplines comprising the Social Studies and to deepen their understanding regarding their use to educate for informed, responsible and active citizenship
• Develop an understanding of current, persistent and controversial issues and acquire the skills to teach controversial issues in their classrooms
• Recognizing diversity and differences as assets and learn to evaluate different perspective and biases
• Encourage and promote inquiry and critical approach in their teaching practice, thereby engage in critical reflection on their experiences to improve their practice

Unit 1: Citizenship and Human Rights Education

1.1: Citizenship

• Definitions, Concepts, Values, skills, Rights and responsibilities
• Controversial issues: what, why and how to teach them
• Links with other subject areas

1.2: The Evolution of the concept of Human Rights

• Defining, Responsibilities, Rights, Kinds, Human dignity, Justice, Equality, Freedom
• Women’s rights, Children’s rights

Unit 2: History – People, Past Events and Societies

2.1: Definition, Methods of History

·         Key Concepts: Time and Chronology, Change and Continuity

·         Cause and Effects

Unit 3: Geography – People, Place and Environment

3.1: Definition and Rationale for teaching and learning Geography

• Key concepts/Themes of Geography: Location, Place, Human- environmental Interactions, Movements, Regions
• Skills required for teaching and learning Geography
• Global Warming ------exploring the issue

Unit 4: Culture and Diversity

4.1: Rationale for study of Culture

• The Dynamic nature , Groups and Institutions, Society, Socialization, Civilization, Cultural adaptation
• Why ‘Peace Education’?
• Positive attitude and skills, Teaching children the skills to resolve conflicts

Unit 5: Power, Authority and Governance

5.1: Power, Institutions of Government, political process and participation

• Civil society-----individuals, groups and institutions

Unit 6: Production, Distribution and Consumption

6.1: Definition and Rationale for teaching and learning of Economics

• Conflict between Wants and Resources, Choice, Scarcity
• Economic systems (Production and distribution of Wealth, Supply and demand, Reflection and review)

Websites and Books

·         http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

   The Universal Declaration for human rights could be read from this site.

·         http://www.globalissues.org/issue/137/human-rights-issues

   Article, videos and news are provided on this site regarding Human Rights.

·         http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/center/fellowshipguide/general.shtm

   Human rights resource center provides articles, activities, and other resources are available at this site.

·         Brophy, J. and Alleman, J. (2006). Powerful social studies for elementary students. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth

·         Bailey, R. Ed 2000. Teaching Values and Citizenship Across the Curriculum . London. Kogan Page

·         Dean, B.L. & Joldoshalieva, R. 2006. Teaching Controversial issues: Unpublished book chapter

·         Frazer. E. 2003 Citizenship Education: Anti-political cultural and political education in Britain