Unit III-UNDERSTANDING DISCIPLINES AND SUBJECTS -
HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCHOOOL SUBJECTS - BEd notes -Part 3
Prepared by
Sabarish P
Contents
- Subject nature and Subject history of Sciences.
- Subject nature and Subject history of Social Science
- Subject matter in sciences and social sciences
- Inquiry in different domains of knowledge -its difference
Subject nature and subject history of Sciences
Events in which students engage in scientific investigations provide the background for developing an understanding of the nature of science.
To develop understanding of the history and nature of science, teachers of science can use the actual experiences of student investigations, case studies and historical articles.
People of various social and ethnic backgrounds engage in the activities of science, engineering and related fields such as the health professions. Some scientists work in teams, and some work alone, but all communicate extensively with others.
Science requires different abilities, depending on which factors such as the field of study and type of investigation can be chosen.
The work of science relies on basic human qualities, such as reasoning, insight, energy, skill, and creativity as well as on scientific habits of mind, such as intellectual honesty, tolerance of uncertainty, disbelief and openness to new ideas.
Scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation, experiments, and theoretical and mathematical models.
Scientists do and have changed their ideas about nature when they encounter new experimental evidence that does not match their existing explanations.
Subject nature and subject history of Social Science
Social science is a category of academic disciplines, concerned with the study of society and the relationships among individuals within a society. It in turn has many branches, each of which is considered a social science.
The social science disciplines are branches of knowledge taught and researched at the college or university level.
Social science disciplines are defined and recognised by the academic journals and the learned social science societies and academic departments or faculties. Social science may refer generally to all disciplines outside of noble science and arts.
Social science fields of study usually have several sub-disciplines or branches, and the distinguishing lines between these are often both random and vague.
The main social sciences include economics, political science, human geography, demography and sociology.
Social science also includes among its branches some fields in the humanities such as anthropology, archaeology, history, law and linguistics.
The academic social sciences were later constituted of five fields namely jurisprudence and amendment of the law, education, health, economy and trade, and art.
Around the start of the 21st century, the expanding domain of economics in the social sciences has been described as economic imperialism.
Subject matter
Subject matter, in general, is anything which can be content for some theory. It may refer to one of the following:
Patentable or statutory subject matter, defining whether patent protection is available
Subject matter jurisdiction, determining the kinds of claims or disputes over which a court has jurisdiction.
Subject matter expert, an expert in a particular area.
Subject matter expert Turing test, a variation of the Turing test where a computer system attempts to replicate an expert in a given field.
Understandings of subject matter are acquired in significant ways outside of schools.
A major source of teachers' learning and ideas would be ignored if it is assumed that teachers' subject matter preparation is confined to experiences of formal schooling.
People construct understandings of phenomena from their everyday experiences. In addition to understandings of concepts, people also develop notions about knowledge itself.
Subject matter in Sciences
The Science subject matter, with concentrations in either Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geosciences, or Physics, leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in the area of concentration.
The Science subject matter meets the latest subject matter for preparation of teachers of natural science at the general science level and in the student's area of concentration at the advanced high school level.
In order to obtain a credential for teaching, a programme of professional education preparation is required in addition to the subject matter programme.
It is recommended that all coursework for the subject matter programme be completed before starting the teacher education programme.
Objectives of subject matter in Sciences
Through deeper study of Science, students become learners in the discipline and develop the ability to be creative teachers and models for their students.
Students learn to use the many tools of Science as they are exposed to laboratory and field work. This will enable them to develop laboratory programs and structure field experiences for students in their schools.
The subject matter lays emphasis on Science for all students. The educational departments encourage and enable student groups to be successful in science and to consider careers in education.
Students who complete this subject matter programme in the sciences gain confidence and ability to do Science.
The students would understand that Science is not just a collection of facts to be memorised but a creative and dynamic process which when applied can lead to understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
Subject matter in Social Sciences
The Social Science subject matter, with concentrations in either Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Government, History, or Sociology leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in the area of concentration.
To qualify for a teaching credential, students must complete an approved professional education programme and other specific requirements.
Features
Although the aim of the Social Science program is directed toward the teacher credential, the programme also provides an opportunity for students to build on the foundation of their general education and become familiar with several areas in the Social Sciences.
Social Science subject matter is an excellent background for advanced graduate studies and professional careers.
Objectives of subject matter in Social Sciences
The Social Science programme aims to provide proactive and comprehensive career services to students through career development, experiential learning, on-campus recruitment, and employer relations.
The subject matter programme helps the graduates of the Social Science programme to have have distinguished careers in various fields.
Careful planning and co-ordination with the faculty advisor will aid the students to successfully pursue a teaching credential.
In addition, students are encouraged to become involved with education related activities.
Prepared by
Sabarish P
