The Social and Economic Sciences Division pursues teaching and research in four focus areas:
- Economics and Management Sciences,
- Geography,
- History
- Life Orientation.
- Teaching Experience
Much of the teaching is focused on the Bachelor of Education degree and the Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Academic staff in the division are actively involved in teaching and learning research in their specialist disciplines.
The range of activities of each discipline are summarised below.
Economic and Management Sciences
The focus of the Economic and Management Sciences team is on preparing, developing and assisting student teachers with the relevant theoretical content and methodology for the GET and FET phases in South African schools. It contributes to the undergraduate B. Ed degree programme by teaching all the academic disciplines associated with EMS, viz., Accounting, Business Studies, and Economics. Members of staff in the department specialize in one or more of these disciplines. In a move toward technological advancement, the department has a dedicated computer lab for students use and additional resources are available to students via the EMS network. A highlight in the department's diary is the Market Day where students are given the opportunity to engage in entrepreneurial activity as a valuable teaching experience.
Geography
The teaching of Geography aims to develop an understanding of major contemporary topics in Geography. These include a range of human and physical geography topics closely linked to environmental issues. Lectures are complemented by practicals and fieldwork aimed at applying and extending the geography studied during lectures. Students are also taught to develop skills required for geographical studies and develop problem solving and thinking skills. Appropriate classroom practice for the learning and teaching of geography is also actively developed.
History
There are three major intentions in our history courses. The first is to study a wide range of topics and issues from world, African and South African history. These should provide content and conceptual knowledge to equip students to become history teachers and informed citizens. At the same time we aim to develop the thinking skills and understanding which come from studying academic history. There is also an opportunity to engage in some local history research. The third aim is to provide both the inspiration and the pedagogic tools for being effective history teachers in primary and high schools.
Life Orientation
Life Orientation in the Wits School of Education provides students with a composite understanding of various fields of knowledge including: Personal Development, Religion Studies and Physical Education with Health Promotion. The various fields are committed to promoting democratic values and human rights as these pertain to the personal, social, spiritual and physical development of school based learners. Prospective student teachers are able to choose between majoring in Physical Education or Religion Studies on a sound foundation of Personal Development. A key theme across the various components of Life Orientation is diversity.
The Religion Studies specialization focuses on the diversity of religions, secular beliefs and cultures against a background of human rights particularly as pertaining to the South Africa school context. Students develop knowledge and skills to critically interpret belief systems in terms of philosophy, symbols and practice in contemporary society. Highlights of the course entail exploring religious and cultural diversity through visiting various sacred spaces as well as engaging dialogically with members of religious or spiritual communities in a practical research project.
The Physical Education with Health Promotion Specialization engages students in applications of principles of physical and movement education. The unit develops exercise physiology knowledge with the focus on performance enhancement in the context of sport, exercise and active living. Students engage in various activities that expose them to planning, controlling, marketing, operating and evaluating school sports events. Principles for the development, delivery and assessment of activity programmes for the special exercise needs of at-risk populations are also examined. A very special highlight entails students planning and organizing physically disabled children in a sports event, an event which addresses the rights of children living with disability.
Head of Division: Dr. Helen Ludlow
Division Staff Members:
