Broadfield Social Studies Education (Grades 4-12) Major: Political Science Concentration - BS

Political science is the study of governments, policies, institutions, and the behavior of participants in the political world. Using humanistic and scientific approaches, as well as qualitative and quantitative methods, the field of political science examines political structures both inside and outside government with the goal of better understanding how they function, and the ways in which they change the world over time. The study of political science includes four subfields of specialization: American government and politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory.

Broadfield social studies education: political science concentration students are prepared to teach a range of civics, social studies, and government courses. This major prepares students to earn a WI teaching license that allows them to teach grades 4-12 in all of the six subject areas of social studies: economics, geography, history, psychology, political science, and sociology.

Completion of the Social Studies Education: Political Science Concentration Program and associated benchmark assessments will lead to endorsement for the following Wisconsin teaching license:

• Middle and High School Social Studies, grades 4-12 (2700).

Students in all teacher education programs must satisfy the School of Education (SOE) core requirements.

Students in all teacher education programs must be admitted to the School of Education to complete their program requirements and be eligible for endorsement for the appropriate teaching license(s). Students majoring in social studies education (grades 4-12): political science concentration must meet specific program admission criteria.

Retention and advancement

Curriculum

The Social Studies Education: Political Science Concentration Program is aligned with the Wisconsin Teacher Standards (WTS) and the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) Standards.

Required general education courses (18 credits)

Besides the courses specified below, social studies education: political science concentration majors must satisfy additional general education requirements. The General Education Program requires a minimum of 41 credits.

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Satisfies an SOE core requirement.

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Social and Behavioral Studies (GEN ED 1009).

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Ethnic Diversity (GED ED 1005).

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: The Pasts That Define Us (GEN ED 1011).

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Satisfies a social studies major content requirement.

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: The Cultures of Our World (GEN ED 1013). 

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: The Planet That Sustains Us (GEN ED 1012).

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Satisfies a WI statutory requirement for a teaching license in Social Studies (2700). 

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: The Stories We Tell (GEN ED 1010).

Social studies education requirements (33 credits)

Social studies major content requirements (9 credits)

Political science concentration requirements (27 credits)

A maximum of three credits from each repeatable political science (POL) course may be applied to the social studies education: political science concentration major.

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Must complete all course requirements and other benchmarks prior to student teaching. See SOE's benchmark assessments website for information about these assessments. For more information on student teaching, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.

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Students may not take POL 202 if they have already taken HIS 202. Instead, these students must take either POL 130 or POL 140 to satisfy this requirement.

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Students who complete POL 261 to satisfy this requirement must take at least three credits of 300/400-level electives.

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Prerequisite: MTH 123, STAT 145, or placement into MTH 150 or higher.

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Public policy electives include PUB 330, PUB 332, PUB 334, and PUB 338.

American government

Comparative politics

International relations

Political theory

Additional teacher education requirements are listed on the School of Education catalog page.

All teacher education students must complete the general education, School of Education, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.

• General education
• School of Education requirements
• Baccalaureate degree requirements

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.^{1, 2}
5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA^{1, 2} in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.

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Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

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The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

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Students who complete POL 261 to satisfy this requirement must take at least three credits of 300/400-level electives.

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STAT 145 Elementary Statistics (4 cr.) is a required prerequisite of POL 361 Research Methods in Politics and Government (3 cr.).

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See the SOE admissions website for complete admission and application details. Students will be required to complete a criminal background check at the time of application for admission.

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Students applying for field and student teaching placements will be asked to disclose any criminal charges.

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Students must apply for student teaching through the Office of Field Experience one year prior to the student teaching semester.

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For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.