Public Affairs for Secondary Education

Public Affairs in Secondary Education (PASE) is a major that prepares future social studies educators through a public and international affairs lens. The program combines James Madison College's interdisciplinary approach to public affairs with the coursework and field experiences required for secondary teacher certification in Michigan, enabling students to graduate in four years ready to inspire the next generation of informed citizens.

The PASE major provides students with the knowledge, skills and professional training they need to become effective social studies teachers. Students develop analytical thinking, cultural understanding, effective citizenship, effective communication and integrated reasoning

View Courses & Degree Requirements

Curriculum & Course Sequences

The PASE major takes a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from James Madison College, the College of Education and the College of Social Science to prepare knowledgeable and skilled high school educators. The curriculum includes:

• JMC's foundational public affairs course sequence, introducing students to the interdisciplinary study of domestic and international public affairs;
• a concentration sequence in one of JMC's four fields — Comparative Cultures and Politics, International Relations, Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, or Social Relations and Policy — allowing students to develop expertise in an area that matches their teaching interests;
• focused social sciences courses in geography and history to build content knowledge for teaching social studies;
• upper-level JMC coursework and a senior seminar to strengthen research, writing and analytical skills;
• methodology training to develop systematic inquiry and research capabilities;
• comprehensive teacher education courses covering instructional design, classroom management, curriculum development and assessment strategies;
• student teaching experiences that provide hands-on practice in real classroom settings.

The program structure allows students flexibility to pursue their teaching interests while ensuring they meet all requirements for Michigan secondary social studies certification. Students learn to connect public affairs concepts to classroom practice, helping their future students understand how political, economic, social and cultural forces shape the world.

Careers

PASE graduates will be prepared for careers as secondary social studies teachers in Michigan public and private schools. The program's public affairs foundation also positions graduates well for education-related roles in curriculum development, educational policy, nonprofit organizations focused on civic education, and graduate programs in education, public policy, or related fields. JMC's long history of producing gifted educators reflects the College's commitment to preparing leaders in social studies education who bring global perspectives and critical thinking skills to their classrooms.

Sample Courses

GEO 204 World Regional Geography
HST 150 World History Since 1500
CEP 240 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
Sophomore Sequence in IR, CCP, SRP or PTCD
Senior Seminar in IR, CCP, SRP or PTCD
TE 426 Seminar in Social Studies Education I
TE 428 Student Teaching Internship in Social Studies Education