Education at Aquinas College

Social Studies major for secondary certification

In addition to the following courses, students must complete a minor in either History, Geography, or Political Science.

Required Courses:

  • ES211
  • ES212
  • GY120 (GP)
  • GY130
  • GY140
  • GY212
  • GY302
  • HY101
  • HY102
  • HY161
  • HY162 (GP)
  • HY357
  • PS101
  • PS150
  • PS205
  • PS321
  • PS387
  • EN450 

Plus three (3) semester hours in American History 200 level or above.

Plus three (3) semester hours in European History 200 level or above.

Plus three (3) semester hours in World History 200 level or above.

Courses

  • ES211 Microeconomic Principles (3) SS1

    Introduction to the economic problem and the study of economics; basics of supply and demand; introduction to concepts and models used to understand the economic behavior of households and firms, economic outcomes under various market structures, market failures, and international trade.

  • ES212 Macroeconomic Principles (3) SS1

    Introduction to the economic problem and the study of economics; basics of supply and demand; introduction to concepts and models used to understand the business cycle (fluctuations in national income and employment) and inflation; basics of international finance.

  • GY120 Human Geography (4) (SS1/SS2) (GP)

    The geographic subfield of Human Geography discusses and interprets the role of human beings as they are distributed across the surface of the earth. This is a far-ranging field of inquiry that incorporates information from the traditional social scientific realms of economics, sociology, political science, and anthropology into a spatial analysis of the world around us. Given the nature of the topic, this course will be introductory in nature and examine the breadth of cultural geographic thought.

  • GY130/HY130 Geography and History of Michigan (3) (SS1/SS2)

    An examination of the history and geography of Michigan from its beginnings through contemporary times, emphasizing the political, economic and social developments as they occurred across the changing physical and cultural landscape of the state. Special Note: Not open to students who have HY235 credit. 

  • GY140 World Regional Geography (3) (SS1/SS2) (GP)

    An introduction to human and physical geography by use of the world regional approach. Fundamental geographic concepts and ideas (regional economic development, global systems, spatial diffusion) are presented in different regional contexts.

  • GY212 Urban Geography (4) (SS1/SS2)

    Urban environment and landscape from a human perspective: the city as an economic environment, as a cultural place, as a political entity, policies and planning.

  • GY302 Geography of U.S./Canada (3) (SS1/SS2)

    Study of United States and Canada considering regional differences in physical environment, resource base, population characteristics, and settlement patterns; emphasis on human response to environment. Prerequisite: GY120.

  • HY101 American History to 1877 (3) HP

    A survey of the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the United States from discovery of the New World to the end of Reconstruction.

  • HY102 American History since 1877 (3) HP

    A survey of the development of the United States from the end of the Civil War era to the present.

  • HY161 World History to 1500 (3) HP

    Survey of World History from the advent of settled farming communities until the maritime revolution of the fifteenth century (roughly 10,000 BC–AD 1500). Special topics covered include prehistory, the advent of civilization, the expansion of trade and cultural exchange, the social-political organizations of pre-modern societies and the emergence of the world’s great religious traditions.

  • HY162 World History since 1500 (3) HP, (GP)

    Survey of World History from 1500 to the present. Major topics covered include the development of the scientific world view, the industrial revolution, imperialism, revolutionary movements, modern ideologies, world war, decolonization, and the Cold War.

  • HY357 Historiography (3)

    An introduction to the history of historical writing with emphasis on major schools of interpretation in history. This course is not accepted for the General Education Humanities requirement.

  • PS101 American Government and Politics (3) SS1/SS2

    This course is an introduction to the power, structures and functions of the American Government and Political System. Fundamental is a critical examination of the institutions and players who interact in the processes of American politics.

  • PS150 The World in Crisis (3) SS1/SS2, GP

    Introduction to the dynamics of global interaction and international relations. Developing of a basic understanding of the international system and modes of conflict and cooperation in international problem areas such as Bosnia, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Chiapas, East Los Angeles, Haiti, Somalia, American Embassies, Tokyo subways, Iraq, Kuwait, Arab-Israeli relations, human rights violations, armed conflict, poverty, environmental degradation, religious confrontation and diplomacy.

  • PS205 State Government and Politics (3)

    Introduction of the institutions and politics of state governments with special emphasis on Michigan

  • PS321 American Political Thought (3) SS1/SS2, WI

    Fundamental principles derived from the Constitution and The Federalist as context of modern problems. Prerequisite: PS101 or HY101 or HY102.

  • PS387 International Relations (3) SS1/SS2, WI

    This is an upper-division course on the contemporary history and theory of international relations. Examined is the interaction of various international actors such as nation-states, international organizations and regimes, multinational corporations and even individuals and groups who influence world politics. International Political Economy and Post-Cold War Crises are emphasized. Prerequisite: PS150 or Instructor approval.