Social Studies is the comprehensive subject that connects civics, economics, geography, geopolitics, politics, history, and sociology. It serves as a foundation that helps society connect to the principles that define it and the story that came before it. The concepts behind Social Studies have been around for millennia; even before humans as animals had to form hierarchies to govern themselves and be well-versed in geography to migrate.  At first, around the 1800s, Social Studies wasn't just one subject — it was split into the various components that make up the modern subject: civics, economics, geography, history, and politics. The first mentions of Social Studies being one individual subject came about in 1916, with vocal education-oriented activists such as John Dewey, who demanded that students be taught citizenship essentials. Today, social studies is usually described as an interdisciplinary subject that helps students understand past and present societies and prepares them to be active, informed citizens.

 

      Palmer offers an countless Social Studies courses designed to meet the diverse interests and academic goals of all students. At Palmer, Social Studies provides students with the opportunity to improve their analytical and comprehensive abilities through research, presentations, debates, and media analysis, fostering individual and collaborative learning. It enables students to explore new perspectives while building their confidence in expressing their opinions. This section of the newspaper outlines the Social Studies journey at Palmer, discussing the available courses and highlighting the ones that students should choose based on their interests, grade level, and ultimate objectives. Moreover, it gives students fun historically-oriented stories that teach them about important historical events and figures, while introducing them to the subject and engaging them to pique their interest. Engaging in Social Studies at the high school level opens numerous doors, shaping students into informed and  empathetic global citizens prepared to make meaningful contributions to society.