Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed knowledge and understanding about the need for and value of social education in the primary school curriculum; relationship between social education and the social science disciplines; major social education concepts, generalisations, skills, values and attitudes; suitable behavioural objectives for primary school social education units; various teaching techniques, curriculum possibilities, teaching aids and equipment suitable for developing primary school social education; the National Curriculum movement and the new State Curriculum and Standards Framework series. Students should have developed skills to enable them to construct behavioural objectives for primary school social education lesson plans; construct social education lesson plans and teach them during teaching round placement; employ the inductive teaching model in a classroom setting; undertake an independent investigation using a variety of social science techniques. Students should have engaged in learning experiences which should enable them to value the need for social education programs in the primary school to make understandings about their society accessible to all students; appreciate the need for students to participate effectively in society and the need for a defensible value system in order for students to achieve this; have developed confidence in their ability to design and teach social education lessons.
Synopsis An introduction to the objectives, principles and methods involved in the teaching of social education in the infant and middle levels of the primary school. The subject stresses the importance of involving children in the inquiry approach to learning through a variety of instructional materials. Emphasis is placed on presenting techniques to enable children to develop knowledge, skills, values and attitudes, and take appropriate action. Major topics in the course include a study of Australia's position in relation to its Asian neighbours and an appreciation of the cultural richness within the Asian region; the study of Australia as a multicultural society, including a study of one of the main cultural groups within our society. A study of Aboriginal culture and the interaction of Aboriginal and European peoples in Australian history. Students will gain experience in planning, teaching and evaluating social studies lessons as well as analysing a number of exemplary resources for social education teaching.
Assessment Assignment (2000 words): 30% + Examination: 70%