General objective of the module:

This module provides an opportunity for student teachers to develop knowledge, skills and values in Social Studies. This module is indispensable in the teacher education program from the point of view of the changing societal behaviour and needs. The study of Social Studies would equip the learner with the broader understanding of societal structure in different societal settings thereby, facilitating a deeper understanding of local and regional social development and change.
Further, this module has been developed with the aim of exposing the student teacher to different methodologies on teaching Social Studies. It will equip the student teacher to effectively plan for teaching social studies content using a wide variety of materials, methodologies, strategies, and techniques that will make social studies interesting and challenging for the students.

Specific objectives or learning outcomes:
On completion of this module, the trainee teacher will be able to:

• define social studies,
• explain the nature and scope of Social Studies,
• trace the development of Social Studies in the world and in Bhutan,
• explain the purposes of teaching Social Studies in Bhutan and in the world,
• explain the different components (subject integration) of Social Studies,
• comprehend the development of Social Studies Curriculum,
• analyse the role of Social Studies teacher,
• explain concepts and themes in Social Studies,
• analyse the current social studies curriculum,
• identify causes, outcomes, and solutions of social problems and the youth problems in Bhutan,
• efficiently plan and execute different methods of teaching social studies,
• develop unit, block, and daily lesson plan to teach Social Studies effectively,
• design and develop appropriate teaching resources as per the content,
• design different types of assessment schemes (continuous formative assessment and summative assessment) and
• teach classes IV, V and VI Social Studies lessons effectively in micro teaching situations and teaching practice which in the long run enables student teachers to tackle social studies curriculum effectively.

Subject matter of the module

1. Concept of Social Studies
Definition
Salient features of social studies
Nature and scope of social Studies
Purpose of teaching social studies
Subject components of social studies: Geography, History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Public Administration and language.
Social Studies Curriculum
The development of social studies in the world
Development of Social Studies in Bhutan
Role of a Social Studies Teacher