Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with an Inspired Teaching and Learning Preliminary Single Subject Credential (California)
Prepare for a career as a teacher of social studies and history in middle or high school with the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with an Inspired Teaching and Learning Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential. The program combines rigorous coursework in history and social sciences with a focus on world, U.S., and California history.
In the BA Social Science program, you’ll learn to look at familiar places and cultures from an entirely new perspective while developing your skills in critical thinking, reading, writing, and researching. As the program involves educational methodology and student teacher training, you’ll graduate fully prepared to teach social studies and/or history in middle school or high school. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with an Inspired Teaching and Learning Preliminary Single Subject Credential Program is currently operating using credential guidelines for California only.
*Please note: Students need to satisfy/pass the Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST) and Subject Matter Competency Requirement (e.g., CSET) prior to starting the credential area methods coursework to avoid interruptions to program progress and/or financial aid arrangements.
Course Name
HIS 220A United States History I
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Survey of American history from pre-colonial times through Reconstruction. Explores economic, political, social and cultural factors that shaped the origins of the nation, including the Revolution, the Constitution and the Civil War. Special attention is paid to issues of race, class, gender and ethnicity. Includes study of the Constitution.
HIS 220B United States History II
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Survey of American history from Reconstruction to the present. Explores economic, political, social, and cultural factors that shaped the development of the nation, including industrialization, America’s emergence as a world power and the challenges of the late 20th century. Pays special attention to issues of race, class, gender and ethnicity.
HIS 233 World Civilizations I
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Discusses how distinctive cultures, economies and societies of the world developed from prehistoric times to the European conquest of the Americas (ca. 1500 C.E.). Explores issues of gender, class, personal identity, war, religion, urban life, and ecology pertaining to the history of civilizations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
HIS 234 World Civilizations II
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Discusses how the cultures, economies, and societies of the world developed since 1500 C.E. Explores issues of class and class conflict, personal and cultural identity, race, work, industrial development, colonialism, ecology, and political and economic life pertaining to the history of civilizations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe..
POL 100 Introduction to Politics
Prerequisite: ENG 102
A broad overview of the field of political science including main issues and central questions studies by political scientists and methods used to gain knowledge about politics. A survey course designed to acquaint the student with selective concepts, theories, and of political process.
POL 201 American Politics
Prerequisite: ENG 102
A critical introduction to the structure of American government. Topics include classical and modern democratic theories, constitutionalism and federalism; the political process, including the mass media, voting behavior and political parties and interest groups; the institutions of government; the courts, civil liberties and civil rights; and public policy. (Includes study of the Constitution)
SCI 300 Geography
Examination of relationships between geographical features of the earth and human societies. Includes the study of map construction, mapping tools, geographical data, and the influence of geomorphological features on the development and spatial distribution of political systems, languages, and religions.
ECO 203 Principles of Microeconomics
In this course, students will study the price system, market structures, and consumer theory. Topics covered include supply and demand, price controls, public policy, the theory of the firm, cost and revenue concepts, forms of competition, elasticity, and efficient resource allocation, among others.
ECO 204 Principles of Macroeconomics
This course provides an examination of aggregate economic activity. It includes a study of aggregate supply and demand, the monetary and banking systems, aggregate economic accounting, inflation, unemployment, the business cycle, macroeconomic policy, and economic progress and stability, among other things.
Course Name
HIS 220A United States History I
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Survey of American history from pre-colonial times through Reconstruction. Explores economic, political, social and cultural factors that shaped the origins of the nation, including the Revolution, the Constitution and the Civil War. Special attention is paid to issues of race, class, gender and ethnicity. Includes study of the Constitution.
HIS 220B United States History II
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Survey of American history from Reconstruction to the present. Explores economic, political, social, and cultural factors that shaped the development of the nation, including industrialization, America’s emergence as a world power and the challenges of the late 20th century. Pays special attention to issues of race, class, gender and ethnicity.
HIS 233 World Civilizations I
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Discusses how distinctive cultures, economies and societies of the world developed from prehistoric times to the European conquest of the Americas (ca. 1500 C.E.). Explores issues of gender, class, personal identity, war, religion, urban life, and ecology pertaining to the history of civilizations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
HIS 234 World Civilizations II
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Discusses how the cultures, economies, and societies of the world developed since 1500 C.E. Explores issues of class and class conflict, personal and cultural identity, race, work, industrial development, colonialism, ecology, and political and economic life pertaining to the history of civilizations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe..
POL 100 Introduction to Politics
Prerequisite: ENG 102
A broad overview of the field of political science including main issues and central questions studies by political scientists and methods used to gain knowledge about politics. A survey course designed to acquaint the student with selective concepts, theories, and of political process.
POL 201 American Politics
Prerequisite: ENG 102
A critical introduction to the structure of American government. Topics include classical and modern democratic theories, constitutionalism and federalism; the political process, including the mass media, voting behavior and political parties and interest groups; the institutions of government; the courts, civil liberties and civil rights; and public policy. (Includes study of the Constitution)
SCI 300 Geography
Examination of relationships between geographical features of the earth and human societies. Includes the study of map construction, mapping tools, geographical data, and the influence of geomorphological features on the development and spatial distribution of political systems, languages, and religions.
ECO 203 Principles of Microeconomics
In this course, students will study the price system, market structures, and consumer theory. Topics covered include supply and demand, price controls, public policy, the theory of the firm, cost and revenue concepts, forms of competition, elasticity, and efficient resource allocation, among others.
ECO 204 Principles of Macroeconomics
This course provides an examination of aggregate economic activity. It includes a study of aggregate supply and demand, the monetary and banking systems, aggregate economic accounting, inflation, unemployment, the business cycle, macroeconomic policy, and economic progress and stability, among other things.
Course Name
HIS 220A United States History I
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Survey of American history from pre-colonial times through Reconstruction. Explores economic, political, social and cultural factors that shaped the origins of the nation, including the Revolution, the Constitution and the Civil War. Special attention is paid to issues of race, class, gender and ethnicity. Includes study of the Constitution.
HIS 220B United States History II
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Survey of American history from Reconstruction to the present. Explores economic, political, social, and cultural factors that shaped the development of the nation, including industrialization, America’s emergence as a world power and the challenges of the late 20th century. Pays special attention to issues of race, class, gender and ethnicity.
HIS 233 World Civilizations I
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Discusses how distinctive cultures, economies and societies of the world developed from prehistoric times to the European conquest of the Americas (ca. 1500 C.E.). Explores issues of gender, class, personal identity, war, religion, urban life, and ecology pertaining to the history of civilizations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
HIS 234 World Civilizations II
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Discusses how the cultures, economies, and societies of the world developed since 1500 C.E. Explores issues of class and class conflict, personal and cultural identity, race, work, industrial development, colonialism, ecology, and political and economic life pertaining to the history of civilizations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe..
POL 100 Introduction to Politics
Prerequisite: ENG 102
A broad overview of the field of political science including main issues and central questions studies by political scientists and methods used to gain knowledge about politics. A survey course designed to acquaint the student with selective concepts, theories, and of political process.
POL 201 American Politics
Prerequisite: ENG 102
A critical introduction to the structure of American government. Topics include classical and modern democratic theories, constitutionalism and federalism; the political process, including the mass media, voting behavior and political parties and interest groups; the institutions of government; the courts, civil liberties and civil rights; and public policy. (Includes study of the Constitution)
SCI 300 Geography
Examination of relationships between geographical features of the earth and human societies. Includes the study of map construction, mapping tools, geographical data, and the influence of geomorphological features on the development and spatial distribution of political systems, languages, and religions.
ECO 203 Principles of Microeconomics
In this course, students will study the price system, market structures, and consumer theory. Topics covered include supply and demand, price controls, public policy, the theory of the firm, cost and revenue concepts, forms of competition, elasticity, and efficient resource allocation, among others.
ECO 204 Principles of Macroeconomics
This course provides an examination of aggregate economic activity. It includes a study of aggregate supply and demand, the monetary and banking systems, aggregate economic accounting, inflation, unemployment, the business cycle, macroeconomic policy, and economic progress and stability, among other things.
Foundation Courses
ITL 402 Context: Education in the U.S. – 4.50
Prerequisite: ITL 400 and Students must complete the credential packet.
Examines historical, socio-political, cultural, and economic influences, as well as technological and other innovations on the evolution of education in the U.S. and globally. Considers the impact of legal mandates and other influential factors on the profession; identifies necessary knowledge, skills, and dispositions of an inspired professional educator.
ITL 404 Learners and Learning I. – 4.50
Prerequisite: ITL 402
Examines psychological, socio-cultural, linguistic, and other factors influencing development, learning, and the full range of learners, including English Learners, standard-English learners, students with exceptionalities, and students with other needs. Considers a variety of data to identify appropriate strategies and community-based resources to support all learners and their families.
ITL 406 Learners and Learning II. – 4.50
Prerequisite: ITL 404
Examines theories and research regarding typical and atypical child and adolescent development and learning. Considers various data collection and assessment techniques which guide the selection of effective instructional strategies, practices, resources, and technologies to create environments that support the full range of learners and provide equitable access to the curriculum.
ITL 408 Design and Process of Teaching – 4.50
Prerequisite: ITL 406
Candidates integrate principles of learning theories and factors influencing human development when designing instruction and evaluating instructional effectiveness. Candidates will utilize a four-stage cyclical model of planning, teaching, analyzing and reflecting in the process of learning-and-teaching to ensure all students equitable access to the curriculum.
Single Subject Credential Methods
ITL 520 Academic Language & Literacy – 4.50
Single subject teacher candidates utilize research-based methods aligned with CA’s Common Core Standards and ELA/ELD frameworks. Applies principles and strategies needed to teach grades 9-12 content-based language/literacy instruction for English speakers, English learners, Standard English learners, and students with exceptionalities and other learning needs.
ITL 522 Content Area Literacy – 4.50
Prerequisite: ITL 520
Single subject teacher candidates utilize research-based methods aligned with CA’s Common Core Standards and ELA/ELD frameworks to teach content-based instruction based on the language proficiency and literacy needs of English speakers, English learners, Standard English learners, and students with exceptionalities and other learning needs needed to sustain academic achievement.
ITL 526 SS Integrated Design I – 4.50
Prerequisite: ITL 522
Instructional design principles for teaching in grades 7-12. Strategies for designing short and long-term curriculum/instruction/assessment aligned with content standards. Evidence-based research appropriate for the application the CA Common Core and academic standards across the various single subject content areas.
ITL 528 SS Integrated Design II – 4.50
Prerequisite: ITL 526
Integrative instructional design models, approaches, and research in designated content areas. Analysis and reflection focused on teaching practices and beliefs. Learning Map design and implementation principles.
ITL 530 Optimized Learning Community – 4.50
Research-based strategies and models managing an equitable and inclusive K-12 learning environments. Social-emotional growth, development, and individual responsibility. Positive interventions and supports, restorative justice, and conflict resolution practices. Prevention of common classroom problems. Effectively work with challenging students. Establishment of safe classroom and school environments to prevent bullying.
Student Teaching Requirements
ITL 550A Student Teaching A – 4.50
Corequisite: ITL 551A
First half (8-9 weeks) of student teaching experience. Establishment of 300 of 600 total hours. Clinical practice placement in a district-university approved California K-12 classroom corresponding to the designated CSET area. Six Teaching Performance Experience (TPE) domains composed of 45 new TPE elements. Grading is S, U or In Progress (IP).
ITL 551A Student Teacher Seminar A. – 2.25
Corequisite: ITL 550A
Seminar concurrently taken with ITL 550A, Student Teaching A. Six Teaching Performance Expectation (TPEs) domains composed of 45 TPE elements. CalTPA Cycle 1. Grading is S, U or In Progress (IP).
ITL 550B Student Teaching B – 4.50
Corequisite: ITL 551B; Prerequisite: ITL 550A
Second half (8-9 weeks) of student teaching experience. Establishment of 300 of 600 total hours. Clinical practice placement in a district-university approved California K-12 classroom corresponding to the designated CSET area. Six Teaching Performance Experience (TPE) domains composed of 45 new TPE elements. Grading is S, U or In Progress (IP).
ITL 551B Student Teacher Seminar B – 2.25
Corequisite: ITL 550B; Prerequisite: ITL 551A
Seminar concurrently taken with ITL 550B, Student Teaching B. Six Teaching Performance Expectation (TPEs) domains composed of 45 TPE elements. CalTPA Cycle 2.
Degree and Course Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Social Science with a Single Subject Teaching Credential (California), candidates must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at Berkshire, 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level and a minimum 69 units of General Education requirements. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree. The following courses are specific degree requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
Assess the significance of major trends in World History.
Assess the significance of major trends in U.S. History.
Analyze a variety of primary sources.
Analyze secondary sources for their arguments and use of supporting evidence.
Discuss current concerns, new theories, new evidence, and issues that shape interpretation in history and the social sciences.
Conduct research in history and the social sciences supported by appropriate primary and secondary source materials.
Delineate the central demographic, economic, and political developments in the history of California from the eve of Spanish settlement to the present.
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