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Love democracy? Do something about it! Our program will prepare you to engage 6-12 grade students in exploring historical and contemporary issues of democratic society. We value the vision of civic competence set forth by the National Council for the Social Studies: “The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.”
We stress theory-based knowledge, teaching skills, and guided practice in public schools. We focus on an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. Our faculty care about their students’ success, and you’ll graduate ready to prepare the next generation of democratic citizens.
Academic Programs of Study
Career Options
Student Resources
Faculty
Research and Grants
Auburn faculty members Dr. Jada Kohlmeier and Dr. Steven Brown, from the College of Liberal Arts, have been awarded more than $2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education to conduct virtual professional development with secondary social studies teachers from across the nation. Kohlmeier and Brown are calling their project “Developing C.L.E.A.R. Thinking,” based on their goal of helping students to develop Civic, Legal, Ethical and Analogous Reasoning.
Outreach Program
The World Affairs Youth Seminar (WAYS) is conducted by faculty, staff, and students from Auburn’s College of Education and members of the Persistent Issues in History Network for rising 10th – 12th graders. It uses the Model United Nations (MUN) forum to examine global issues in a “real world” context. Participants assume the role of country delegates and strive to accurately represent the viewpoints of their assigned country in daily MUN General Assembly sessions.
