Social Studies is the integrated study of history, geography, economics, government and civics. More importantly it is the study of humanity, of people and events that individually and collectively have affected the world. A strong and effective Social Studies program helps students make sense of the world in which they live, it allows them to make connections between major ideas and their own lives, and it helps them see themselves as members of the world community. It offers students the knowledge and skills necessary to become active and informed participants on a local, national and global level.
Our goal as a social studies department is to instill in our future generations the story of our past. The department strives for a humanities-based approach to teaching history which allows students to experience and feel history through the study of art, music and literature. In so doing, we hope that the muse of history, Clio, one of Zeus' nine daughters, will beckon students with her siren call. In answering her call, students will embark on a noble quest which will reap many rewards along the way.
The Social Studies program must also help students understand, respect and appreciate the commonalities and differences that give the U.S. character and identity. The complexities of history can only be fully understood within an appreciation and analysis of diversity, multiple perspectives, and interconnectedness of people and places across time and cultures. Thus, we want to help our students become critical and empathic thinkers as they make their way in our globally interdependent world.