The Unfortunate Status of Geography in Elementary Teacher Education: A Call for Discourse

Date

2014

Authors

Womac, Patrick

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The Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education

Abstract

The following study aims to better understand the extent of geography and history coursework requirements---or lack thereof-in preservice elementary teacher preparation programs. Data were collected from the majority of U.S. colleges and universities that offer undergraduate degrees in elementary education. Results reveal a considerable disparity between geography and history coursework requirements; only 13 .1 % of these programs require a course in geography, whereas 67.6% require one or more courses in history. Explanations for the findings are discussed, followed by a call for either justification or change.

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Keywords

geography, teacher education, preservice coursework, elementary social studies

Citation

Womac, P. (2014). The unfortunate status of geography in elementary teacher education: A call for discourse. Research in Geographic Education, 16(2), pp. 46-60.

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