Program Overview

Introduction to the Sociology — Elementary, BAE Program

The Sociology — Elementary, BAE program at Western Washington University is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in elementary education with a strong foundation in sociology. This program satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in elementary education.

Why Consider a Sociology-Elementary Major?

Sociology students develop an aptitude for critical thinking, improve their writing ability, and gain competence with statistical computing that will enhance their future career options. A specialization in Sociology-Elementary major provides an excellent base of knowledge for individuals interested in becoming elementary level educators.

Student Resources

• Department website: Sociology
• Department advising: Visit the Advising webpage for more information.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample careers: Elementary Teacher

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

The number of students admitted to the major is limited as a result of the structure of the sociology curriculum and departmental staffing capabilities. All students wishing to become Sociology majors should meet the following criteria:

• Completion of at least 45 college-level credits
• Completion of at least 5 credits in Sociology with a grade of C- or better
• If the preceding criteria are met, students should complete the Sociology Major Admission form.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required for all courses applying to the non-Elementary Education Professional Program requirements. A grade of C (2.0) or better is required for courses in the Elementary Education Professional Program.

Requirements (50 credits)

Sociology Course Requirements (50 credits)

• Any ONE of the following introductory courses:
  • SOC 221 - Introduction to Population Issues (5 credits)
  • SOC 234 - Special Topics in Sociology (5 credits)
  • SOC 251 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior (5 credits)
  • SOC 255 - Social Organization of Criminal Justice (5 credits)
  • SOC 260 - The Family in Society (5 credits)
  • SOC 268 - Gender and Society (5 credits)
  • SOC 269 - Race and Ethnic Relations (5 credits)
  • SOC 271 - Immigration (5 credits)
• SOC 302 - Classical Sociological Theory (5 credits)
• SOC 304 - Statistics for Sociology (5 credits)
• SOC 306 - Sociological Research Methods (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • SOC 461 - Special Topics in Education (5 credits) (preferred)
  • SOC 492 - Senior Thesis (5 credits)
  • Other 400-level capstone seminar
• Five additional courses: Electives under departmental advisement to bring the total to a minimum of 50 credits in Sociology (SOC 361 preferred).
• A maximum of 10 credits of 100-level or 200-level sociology coursework may be applied to the major.

Additional Requirements

Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements

Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education, Woodring College of Education

Introduction

This program centers an anti-bias, anti-racist, social justice philosophy and leads to a recommendation to the state of Washington for a teaching certificate with an Elementary Education endorsement.

Admission and Declaration Process

See the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Multilingual Education section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the elementary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.

Requirements (105 credits)

Professional Studies Core (22 credits)

• ELED 305 - Development and Learning in a Diverse Classroom (5 credits)
• ELED 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity (5 credits)
• ELED 311 - Understanding Washington State Tribal History, Culture, and Government: Since Time Immemorial Curriculum (1 credit)
• ELED 460 - Children’s Literature in the Classroom (5 credits)
• IT 344 - Foundations of Technology in Teaching and Learning (1 credit)
• MLE 441 - Language, Culture, and Equity: From Global to Local (5 credits)

Elementary Program Methods and Curriculum Content (32 credits)

• One course from:
  • ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
  • DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
  • MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
  • THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
• HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8 (2 credits)
• IT 442 - Digital Decisions: Technology for Educators (3 credits)
• MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I (4 credits)
• MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II (4 credits)
• MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III (4 credits)
• PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School (3 credits)
• SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School (5 credits)
• SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student (4 credits)

Preparatory Field Experiences (13 credits)

• ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators (5 credits)
• ELED 481 - Literacy: Fluent Communicators (5 credits)
• SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science (3 credits)

Professional Field Experiences & Methods Courses (38 credits)

• ELED 412 - Seminar on Racial Justice Praxis (5 credits)
• ELED 427 - Elementary Social Studies Through Counternarratives (5 credits)
• ELED 471 - Documenting Teaching (4 credits)
• ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary (2-16 credits) (must complete 22 credits toward the major)
• MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics (2 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement