Sociology
Department | Program | Courses
B.A. Degree with a Major
in Sociology Education, with Secondary Teaching Certification
in Social Studies, Grades 8-12
Secondary teaching certification may be earned through a major in Sociology together with required course work and experiences in Education and collateral courses. Students must meet all requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program, for admission to Student Teaching, and for recommendation for certification, including the required admission and exit portfolios.
A major in Sociology Education is achieved with the completion of the following requirements, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:
Required Core Courses—SOC 100, 220, 335, 350, and 436 (or SOC 461 may be substituted, in consultation with the Academic Adviser)
Required Distribution Courses—Five (5) additional SOC courses.
Except for core courses, all SOC courses offered in Short Term count as electives toward the degree. However, no more than one SOC course offered only in Short Term may be included in the major.
Required Collateral Courses—The student should choose five (5) collateral course credits in consultation with the Academic Adviser. These must be sufficient to ensure a strong background in American, Western, and Non-Western history, as well as some course work in Economics, geography (no longer offered at Berea), Psychology, and Political Science. Courses meeting General Education program may qualify as collaterals, with the approval of the Department Education Adviser. HIS 200 is recommended strongly as a collateral course for Sociology Education majors. (See Course Sequencing below for additional information about collateral courses.)
Required Education Studies Courses—EDS 150, 228, 311, 349, and 355
Required Professional Year Courses—EDS 479, 480, 481, and 482
Exploring the Major—Students interested in this major are encouraged to complete as many General Education requirements in the first two years as possible. In addition, they should try to complete the first- and second-year Sociology requirements listed in “course sequencing considerations” below before applying for admission to the major. Also see Teacher Education Program below.
Admission to the Major—Successful completion of at least one SOC course; successful completion of the General Education Practical Reasoning Requirement (PRQ and/or PR), with Mathematics the preferred method for both; satisfactory completion of an interview for Admission to the Major. See the “Requirements for Admission to the Teacher Education Program” under Education Studies for that program’s admission requirements, including the minimum overall GPA of 2.5.
Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within nine terms)—In the first year: The student interested in this major should take SOC 100 and one collateral course (chosen in consultation with the Academic Adviser and to complement the student’s career or further educational plans). Often these are courses for a minor in another subject or a variety of courses in other Social Sciences, English, and Mathematics. With the consent of the Department Education Adviser, courses meeting General Education, Appalachian Studies, African and African American Studies, and Women’s Studies minor requirements may qualify as collateral courses. There is an emphasis on course work that will provide a strong background in U.S. history, in addition to some course work in Western and Non-Western history AND Economics, geography (no longer offered at Berea), Political Science, and Psychology. These courses also will help teacher certification students because there are important connections between those courses and the General Education program and their responsibilities as teachers. In the second year: Students should try to complete SOC 220, SOC 350, and two SOC distribution courses. Also see Teacher Education Program sequencing recommendations below.
Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major—Students must meet all criteria for admission and retention at each stage of the Teacher Education Program. (See “Requirements for All Students Seeking Certification” above.) In addition to completing specified course requirements and an Education Studies portfolio, each student must satisfy departmental standards for written and oral communication, demonstrated through the portfolio and course work. In addition to completing specified course requirements, each student must satisfy departmental standards for effectiveness in communication.
Admission to and Completion of the Teacher Certification Program—Students will begin their teacher certification program with EDS 150, which may be taken as early as the second term of the first year. Those students past their first year (including transfers) will be given priority for registration in EDS 150. Prior to the first day of the EDS 150 class, students must have completed a state criminal records clearance, which takes 6-8 weeks to be processed. Students will learn about this procedure during pre-registration. While taking EDS 150, students will be assigned an Education Adviser. Students seeking certification are encouraged strongly to take EDS 150 in the second term of the first year, but no later than the first term of sophomore year. (Multiple sections of EDS 150 are offered each Fall and Spring term.) All collateral courses must be completed either prior to or in the eighth term. EDS 228, 349, and 355 (or approved alternative) must be completed prior to the eighth term. EDS 479 and 480, together with a school practicum of 3-4 hours daily, must be taken in the eighth term. Up to two additional course credits may be taken in the eighth term. Only EDS 481 (1 credit) and 482 (3 credits) may be taken in the ninth term. Throughout their preparation, students seeking teacher certification are expected to seek out rich and substantive experiences with students of the ages they plan to teach beyond those associated with EDS courses. Such activities include SFA-related service work (e.g., One-on-One Tutoring), working with after-school programs, summer camp experiences, and the like. Completion of teacher certification requires nine terms. For further information about the Teacher Education Program, Student Teaching, and Recommendation for Certification, see “Requirements for all Students Seeking Certification.”
Curriculum Guide
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