Section 27.260  Sociology and Anthropology

By October 1, 2024, all candidates for an endorsement in Social Science-Sociology and Anthropology will be required to complete a program aligned to the NCSS National Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers (2017), published by the National Council for the Social Studies, 8555 Sixteenth Street, Silver Spring MD 20910, and available at https://www.socialstudies.org/ standards/teacherstandards. (No later amendments to or editions of these guidelines are incorporated.)  The standards effective until September 30, 2024 are as follows:

a)         In addition to the standards for all social science teachers that are set forth in Section 27.200, those who specialize in the teaching of sociology and anthropology shall be required to meet the standards described in this Section.

b)         The competent sociology and anthropology teacher understands culture and cultural diversity.

1)         Knowledge Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        understands the ways groups, societies, and cultures address human needs and concerns.

B)        understands how data and experiences may be interpreted by people from diverse cultural perspectives and frames of reference.

C)        understands societal patterns for preserving and transmitting culture while adapting to environmental and social change.

D)        understands the importance of cultural unity and diversity within and across groups.

E)        understands specific cultural responses to persistent human issues.

F)         understands the ways in which science and technology influence central societal values, beliefs, and attitudes and how societal attitudes shape scientific and technological change.

G)        understands societal changes resulting from science and new technologies.

2)         Performance Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        explains the functions and interactions of language, literature, the arts, traditions, beliefs and values, and behavior patterns.

B)        interprets patterns of behavior reflecting values and attitudes that contribute or pose obstacles to cross-cultural understanding.

c)         The competent sociology and anthropology teacher understands individual development and identity.

1)         Knowledge Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        understands the ways cultural influences contribute to the sense of self (e.g., religion, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status).

B)        understands the interactions of ethnic, national, or cultural influences in specific situations or events.

2)         Performance Indicator – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher evaluates the impact of stereotyping, conformity, altruism, and other behaviors on individuals and groups.

d)         The competent sociology and anthropology teacher understands groups and institutions.

1)         Knowledge Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        understands the concepts of role, status, and social class.

B)        understands sociological theories related to the formation, types, and stages of social movements.

C)        understands major sociological theoretical perspectives (e.g., structural-functional, conflict, symbolic, interactionist).

2)         Performance Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        analyzes group and institutional influences on people, events, and elements of culture in a variety of settings.

B)        explains the various forms institutions take and how they develop and change.

C)        analyzes how groups and institutions meet individual and societal needs.

e)         The competent sociology and anthropology teacher understands social inequities.

1)         Knowledge Indicator – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher understands relationships of social class, group relations, gender, race, ethnicity, and age to social inequities.

2)         Performance Indicator – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher explains and applies ideas, theories, and modes of inquiry drawn from anthropology and sociology in the examination of persistent issues and social problems.

f)         The competent sociology and anthropology teacher understands cultural conformity and deviancy.

1)         Knowledge Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        understands the sociological approach to explaining deviancy.

B)        understands sociological theories used to explain deviancy.

2)         Performance Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        assists learners in identifying and analyzing examples of tensions between expressions of individuality and efforts used to promote social conformity by groups and institutions (family, religion, government).

B)        explores the relationship between inequity and deviancy.

g)         The competent sociology and anthropology teacher understands major principles of anthropology.

1)         Knowledge Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        understands the cultural developments of prehistoric people, the influences of ancient civilizations on modern cultures, and the cultural differences among nations.

B)        understands ways in which cultures determine groupings (age, class, voluntary family and kinship systems).

2)         Performance Indicators – The competent sociology and anthropology teacher:

A)        explains ways culture organizes family and kinship.

B)        explains how technology, environment, religion, art, and culture have affected personality and behavior.

(Source:  Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 8630, effective May 12, 2020)