FONTBONNE ACADEMY SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Mission Statement

We “teach by encouragement” (Bronson Alcott), respecting and valuing student opinions. We transmit to our students our own enthusiasm for the Social Sciences and for scholarship in general. We model appreciation of diverse experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints.

Department Standards

The content taught in Social Studies provides students with a framework within which to understand and appreciate the variety of human experience. The cognitive, or critical thinking, skills learned in Social Studies inform all academic study and support sound decision-making in general. Our curriculum and our teaching methods address both content and skills in a variety of complementary ways.

A graduate of the Fontbonne Academy Social Studies Department will be able to:

Ø describe the mechanisms, significance, and relevance of history and historical causation

Ø explain the significance of key historical concepts, time periods, dates, and historiography

Ø correlate historical concepts with those of political science, sociology, psychology, economics, and geography

Ø express appreciation for the contributions of all peoples to our nation and to our world

Ø discuss both the historical and the current role of women in our nation and in the world

Ø read, think, write, and speak critically about historical events and issues

Ø research topics comprehensively, using both primary and secondary sources and applicable technology

Ø assess the appropriateness, validity, and reliability of information obtained relative to the topic researched

Ø interpret information in order to formulate well-founded opinions on historical questions

Ø analyze the short and long term consequences of key historical decisions and suggest alternatives

Ø apply lessons learned to everyday decision-making

Ø act responsibly as an informed citizen of and participant in our nation and the world