What is Social Studies?

Every year I start my class with the same two-question

(1) What is social studies class?

(2) What are the social sciences?

Despite being a subject that has been part of the curriculum since kindergarten, many students struggle to answer the question. This seems specific to social studies, after all, students can easily explain what Math, English Language Arts, and Science are!

As a former middle school 6th-grade ancient world history teacher and a current professor of social studies education methods, I have worked to ensure that my students not only know what the social sciences are but enjoy social studies class!

So what is social studies class? What are the social sciences?

The social sciences are a group of disciplines ranging from anthropology to economics. Social Studies, on the other hand, is the study of the disciplines. In k-12 education, social studies is usually considered the course where students read from the textbook or magazine and answer the questions at the end. Science class, on the other hand, includes experiments and making meaning of the world.

So why not reframe social studies class as social science? Instead of having students merely study and hope that they absorb the knowledge, have them use the tools of scientists to understand the world around them!

The many social sciences

As stated earlier, there are many social sciences! While there is not a single definitive list, the following are often included within social sciences:

• Anthropology - the study of cultures of the past

• Archeology - the study of the past using physical remains

• Civics/Government - how societies are governed and ruled, politics, civics, and international relations

• Economics - the flow of goods and services, production, consumption, and wealth

• Geography - the physical features of the earth, how the land relates to civilization

• History - the study of past events

• Law - the rules that govern society

• Paleontology - the study of the past with fossils of animals and plants

• Psychology - the study of the human mind

• Philosophy - the study of the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence

• Religion - belief systems around the world

• Sociology - the study of social behavior

Want to help your students recognize the social sciences and the work of social scientists?? Download the student worksheet and maze here!

Why should students understand the social sciences?

In elementary school, the social sciences are grouped in a singular class. Starting in middle school, the courses are separate, and students start to have a designated time for the different disciplines. In sixth grade, for example, students may start to study Ancient World History. Other middle school subjects often include Geography, Civics, and American History. In high schools, the course selection expands to include European history, government, economics, psychology, philosophy, etc.

So why should you help your students understand what the social sciences are?

1. Active versus Passive

Understanding the social sciences helps students to see the discipline as active rather than passive. By using the tools of historians, anthropologists, psychologists, economists, and other social scientists, students are exposed to a variety of career paths and further areas of study. Students are also able to engage with the material beyond the stereotypical textbook activities, making class not only more enjoyable but also increasing the educational rigor of the lesson! Help your students to recognize the roles of different social scientists with this activity!

2. Multiple entry points for engagement

While students may not like a particular part of social studies (my college students seem to have an aversion to Economics!), recognizing that there are several different facets involved creates a multitude of entry points for student engagement. Just as students have different genres of books and movies that they like, your students are going to gravitate toward different social science disciplines!

3. Understanding the interdisciplinary nature

As social studies are interdisciplinary, understanding that there are different disciplines helps students to see the interconnectedness of the world around them. Studying an ancient civilization in history class, Egypt for example, includes geography, religion, achievements of the culture (from anthropology and archaeology), politics, economics, and social structure (or, as sixth-grade teachers call it GRAPES…a blog post for another time).

4. Global Citizenship

Regardless of the class title, all social studies classes present a way of seeing the world, introducing students to a life beyond their home. Learning about how others live and have lived, different economies and governments around the world, belief systems from near and far, and world history that unites us all. Learning about places near and far helps to create global citizens.

5. Social studies is the most important class!

While the other core disciplines are indeed important, social studies is the only course that teaches skills that we often take for granted. In early grades, social studies includes learning about different roles and jobs in the community, while toward the end of secondary education students learn economics. In social studies classes, students learn cultural and national heroes, civic engagement, how to get from one place to another, and how to critically think about the world around them.

Be sure to read next week where I share the responses to the second question I ask my classes, “What was the biggest difference between your favorite and least favorite social studies class?” and how you can use the answers to make your class better!