Dr. Michael H. Shirley - Department of History - Eastern Illinois University
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Dr. Michael H. Shirley - Department of History - Eastern Illinois University |
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Frequently Asked Questions
• Do I have to see my advisor every semester?
Yes, so that I may check your progress to degree and give you the alternate PIN that will enable you to register (your PIN changes every semester). I post sign-up sheets outside my office so that you can easily make an appointment to see me. Normally, I'm in my office every day.
• If I'm majoring in History with Teacher Certification, what will I be certified to teach?
An EIU degree in history with teacher certification in social science means that you will be certified to teach all of the social sciences (history, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology/anthropology) in grades 9-12 in Illinois public schools. You do not need extra "endorsements" in any of those areas. Neither do you need to declare a social science major. We've got you covered.
• If I'm student teaching next semester, do I still have to see my advisor?
Yes, so that I can clear you to register, because you have to register for student teaching as you would for any other class (student teaching carries 15 semester hours of academic credit). If you have signed up for student teaching, but are not registered for 15 semester hours, you need to come see me.
• Do I have to take a foreign language in order to graduate?
Maybe. If you received a "C" or better in each of two years of high school foreign language courses (in the same language), then you don't. Otherwise, you need to pass two years of a single foreign language in college.
• Can I receive credit toward my major for courses I take in another country?
Yes. You will need to see me about the details, because programs and courses vary. If you are a history major seeking teacher certification in social science, you may have more difficulty counting "study abroad" courses because your course requirements are linked to the Illinois Teaching Standards. Start by going to the International Studies Office, and then see me when you have a tentative program worked out.
• Speaking of International Studies, can I major in History with a concentration in International Studies?
• When should I begin to take education courses?
As soon as possible. Delaying your education classes in favor of your subject matter classes will delay graduation. You should take SED 2000 right away, even if you're only thinking you might someday want to teach.
• Can I take SOS 3400 at the same time as SED 3330 and EDP 3331 (or SED 3100, if I'm in ASEP)?
No. SED 3330 and EDP 3331 (or SED 3100) are prerequisites for SOS 3400.
• I want to student teach in another country. Is that possible?
Yes. You can find out more about your international options for student teaching here.
• I'm majoring in history, but I'm not seeking teacher certification. Do I have to take SED 3100, SED 3330, EDP 3331, or SOS 3400?
No. Relax.
• Do I have to take math?
Yes. And if you are seeking teacher certification, you need to take it now. Which math course you can take depends on which math courses you took in high school. See me as soon as possible. You will not be admitted to the teacher education program until you earn a "C" or better in a college math course. Delay your math course and you may delay your graduation.
• I really like US history. Can I major in it?
No, but you can take a lot of US history courses. If you are a history major not seeking teacher certification, you are required to take three survey courses in world history, and three upper-division courses in non-US history. You are also required to take three survey courses and three upper-division courses in US history. You are also required to take three (and for Fall 2004 catalog and after, five) upper-division electives. All of your history electives may be US history, non-US history, or a mixture of the two.
• I really don't like US history. Can I avoid taking it and still major in history?
No.
• What GPA do I need to get a BA in history?
For a history degree without teacher certification, you need a 2.00 cumulative and major GPA. For a history degree with teacher certification in social science, you need a 2.75.
• My GPA is below 2.75. When do I need to have a 2.75 so that I may student teach?
By the beginning of the semester before you student teach. For example, if you are going to student teach in the Fall, you need to have a 2.75 by the preceding January.
• I earned an "A" in a history course at my local community college last summer. Will it count in figuring out my GPA?
No. Only courses taken at EIU count in figuring your EIU GPA.
• Somebody asked me what catalog I fall under. What was he talking about?
Every student begins college under the rules set out by that year's catalog. Each catalog is a contract between school and student, setting forth degree requirements for the student to meet, as well as guarantees by which the school must abide.
• What difference does it make what my catalog is?
That depends. Students under the Fall 1999 catalog have to complete 8 semester hours of upper-division core (general education) courses; students under the Fall 2000 catalog do not. Program requirements change over the years. It might make no practical difference, but it might make all the difference in the world. When you apply to graduate, you need to specify your catalog. See me before you do.
• I started at a community college in 1993, and only transferred here in 2001. What catalog do I fall under?
You have a choice of most of the catalogs between 1993 and now, but don't make that choice until you talk with me.
• I don't use my EIU e-mail address, but official notices from EIU are sent there, not to the e-mail address I actually use. Can I set my student account to forward mail so that I'll actually receive it?
Yes. Go here for instructions on how to do it.
• Speaking of e-mail, is there a listserv that sends out announcements for test dates, meeting dates, and other things I probably need to know about?
Yes.
• I'm going to be student teaching next semester. When do I have to pass the Content Area Test?
Before you student teach. Given the delay that invariably happens in reporting scores, that means you should take and pass the Content Area Test by the middle of the semester before you student teach. If you're student teaching in the Fall semester, that means you need to take the test in the preceding Spring semester. Go here for further information.
• What information do I need to have in order to apply to graduate?
• I want to be certified to teach more subjects than history, sociology, anthropology, psychology, geography, economics, and political science. How do I earn additional endorsements?
You can learn about additional endorsements by downloading this information sheet.(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
• Will that sheet tell me what I need to do to earn an endorsement to teach in Middle School?
Yes.
• I just don't understand this new registration system at all. What is a CRN and where do I find it?
CRN is the acronym for Course Reference Number; each section of each course has a unique CRN. In the course titles on the new PAWS (Historical Research and Writing - 90500 - HIS 2500 - 001, for example), the CRN is the first number, in this case 90500.
• I need a PIN in order to register. Where do I get it?
From me. Your advisor is the only one who can give you your PIN.
• Will the PIN work every semester?
No, you'll have to come see me every semester to get that semester's PIN.
• Is there a guide to this new system?