Social studies is an important subject that can help students become informed individuals in a variety of areas, such as politics, citizenship, cultural awareness and some general knowledge of world affairs. Students begin taking social studies classes in elementary school to gain a broad understanding of history, geography and cultures around the world.
As they get older, they learn more about their civic duties and responsibilities and get a better understanding of how the government and economy work. All of this information can teach learners to be more well-rounded individuals as they embark on life after they graduate high school.
Here are some topics covered in social studies classes from elementary school to college:
Geography: Geography studies the atmosphere and physical landforms, the people who inhabit locations around the globe and their impact on the world due to populations, land use and available resources.
Anthropology: Anthropology focuses on human societies and how they’ve developed throughout history.
Economics: Economics studies the production, distribution and use of goods and services by sellers and consumers. There are many topics students can learn about such as business economics, microeconomics, international trade and more.
History: History is the general study of past events. Classes can vary by time period or location, such as a class on American History or a class that covers the world during the 1500s.
Sociology: Sociology focuses on the study of human relationships and seeks to understand the social behaviors between genders, races and families.
Civics: Civics studies the responsibilities and rights of citizens in society.