In the United States education system, social studies is the integrated study of multiple fields of social science and the humanities, including history, geography, and political science. The term was first coined by American educators around the turn of the twentieth century as a catch-all for these subjects, as well as others that did not fit into the traditional models of lower education in the United States, such as philosophy and psychology. ^[1]

History of Social Studies

The original onset of the social studies field emerged in the 19th century and later grew in the 20th century. Those foundations and building blocks were put into place in the 1820s in the country of Great Britain before being integrated into the United States. The purpose of the subject itself was to promote social welfare and its development in countries like the United States and others. ^[2]

In the United States through the 1900s, social studies revolved around the study of geography, government, and history. In 1912, the Bureau of Education (not to be confused with its successor agency, the United States Department of Education) was tasked by then Secretary of the Interior Franklin Knight Lane with completely restructuring the American education system for the twentieth century. In response, the Bureau of Education, together with the National Education Association, created the Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Education. The Commission was made up of 16 committees (a 17th was established two years later, in 1916), each one tasked with the reform of a specific aspect of the American Education system. Notable among these was the Committee on Social Studies, which was created to consolidate and standardize various subjects that did not fit within normal school curricula into a new subject, to be called "the social studies." ^[3]

In 1920, the work done by the Committee on Social Studies culminated in the publication and release of Bulletin No. 28 (also called "The Committee on Social Studies Report, 1916"). ^[3] The 66-page bulletin, published and distributed by the U.S. Bureau of Education, is believed to be the first written work dedicated entirely to the subject. It was designed to introduce the concept to American educators and serve as a guide for the creation of nationwide curricula based around social studies. The bulletin proposed many ideas that were considered radical at the time, and it is regarded by many educators as one the most controversial educational resources of the early twentieth century. ^{[1] [4]}

In the years after its release, the bulletin received criticism from educators on its vagueness, especially in regards to the definition of Social Studies itself. ^[1] Critics often point to Section 1 of the report, which vaguely defines Social Studies as "understood to be those whose subject matter relates directly to the organization and development of human society, and to man as a member of social groups." ^[3]

The changes to the field of study never fully materialized until the 1950s, when changes occurred at the state and national levels that dictated the curriculum and the preparation standards of its teacher. This lead to a decrease in the amount of factual knowledge being delivered instead of focusing on key concepts, generalizations, and intellectual skills. Eventually, around the 1980s and 1990s, the development of computer technologies helped grow the publishing industry. Textbooks were created around the curriculum of each state and that coupled with the increase in political factors from globalization and growing economies lead to changes in the public and private education system. Now came the influx of national curriculum standards, from the increase of testing to the accountability of teachers and school districts shifting the social study education system to what it is today. ^{[5] [6]}

Subject fields

Social studies is not a subject, instead functioning as a field of study that incorporates many different subjects. It primarily includes the subjects of history, geography, economics, civics, and sociology. Through all of that, the elements of ethics, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, art, and literature are incorporated into the subject field itself. The field of study itself focuses on human beings and their respective relationships. With that, many of these subjects include some form of social utility that is beneficial to the subject field itself. ^[7]

Teaching Social Studies

To teach social studies in the United States, one must obtain a valid teaching certification to teach in that given state and a valid subject specific certification in social studies. The social studies certification process focuses on the core areas: history, geography, economics, civics, and political science. Each state has specific requirements for the certification process and the teacher must follow the specific guidelines of the state they wish to teach. ^[8]

Ten Themes of Social Studies

According to the National Council for the Social Studies, there are ten themes that represent the standards about human experience that is constituted in the effectiveness of social studies as a subject study from pre-K through 12th grade. ^[9]

Culture

The study of culture and diversity allow the learner to experience culture through all stage from learning to adaptation, shaping their respective lives and society itself. ^[9]

Time, Continuity, and Change

Learners examine the past and the history of events that lead to the development of the current world. Ultimately, the learners will examine the beliefs and values of the past to apply them to the present. ^[9]

People, Places, and Environment

Learners will be able to understand who they are and the environment and places that surround them. It gives spatial views and perspectives of the world to the learner. ^[9]

Individual Development and Identity

Learners will be able to understand their own personal identity, development, and actions. Through this they will be able to understand the influences that surround them. ^[9]

Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

Learners will understand how groups and institutions influence people's everyday lives. The will be able to understand how groups and institutions are formed, maintained, changed. ^[9]

Power, Authority, and Governance

Learners will understand the forms of power, authority, and governance from historical to contemporary. They will be familiar with the purpose and limits that power has on society. ^[9]

Production, Distribution, and Consumption

Learners will understand the organization of goods and services ultimately preparing the learner for the study of greater economic issues. ^[9]

Science, Technology, and Society

Learners will understand the relationship between science, technology, and society understanding the advancement through the years and the impacts they have. ^[9]

Global Connections

Learners will understand the interactive environment of global interdependence and will help understand the global connections that shape the everyday world. ^[9]

Civic Ideals and Practices

Learners will understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens and learn to grow in their appreciation of active citizenship. Ultimately this helps their growth as a full participant in society. ^[9]

References

External links

• The Social Studies in Secondary Education
• National Council for the Social Studies
• Changes in Social Studies
• History in Social Studies

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