What Is Social Studies?

What is the definition of "social studies"?

• Is there some kind of real definition of school classes with names such as "social studies"?

• Answer:

  Social studies is a term used to describe the broad study of the various fields which involve past and current human behavior and interactions. Rather than focus in depth on any one topic, social studies provides a broad overview of human society past and present. Examples of subjects typically covered in social studies include: history, economics, geography, government, culture, psychology, sociology and other social science. In Education Social studies is most commonly recognized as the name of a course or set of courses taught in primary and secondary schools, but may also refer to the study of particular aspects of human society at certain post-secondary and tertiary schools worldwide. Social studies is used very often. Depending on which country you are from, they teach students about the historical significance of events and people. For example, in America you might learn mainly about American history and may sometimes go in depth about other places, and civilizations. Social studies in post-secondary and tertiary schools The subject matter varies from institution to institution and includes both pure and applied social sciences. Examples of the former include sociology, psychology, and political science. Examples of the latter include business, economics, criminology, and mass media. These schools may exclude certain humanities and natural sciences (such as earth sciences and climatology) which are included in many North American social studies classes.