If you have any questions about the Social Science Department, please feel free to email Ms. Danielle Devencenzi, the Department Chair.
Statement of Philosophy
The Social Science Department endeavors to produce a learning environment where young men and women, in the tradition of Saint Ignatius, become aware of their responsibilities to God, themselves, and their fellow human beings and creation.
The learning environment is designed to teach students to develop a lifelong love of the social sciences and to learn both as individuals and in learning communities. Recognition of individuals’ obligations to contribute to the common good – the essence of Catholic teachings on social justice – is enhanced by a firm foundation in the social sciences.
As a result of learning history and other social sciences each student will be able to:
- form a basic knowledge of history and the other social sciences and use that knowledge to develop a sense of solidarity with humankind;
- learn how to apply this knowledge to the lifelong task of understanding the forces transforming our global civilization and our individual lives;
- use this insight and knowledge to solve problems of social justice in our school, community, country and the world;
- think independently and creatively, show initiative and the ability to apply Ignatian principles to complex social, historical and economic problems, developing skills and motivation needed to work in learning communities; and
- realize that Catholic social teaching provides a sound and relevant basis for approaching contemporary social problems.
Department Goals
The Graduate at Graduation, after their course of studies in the Social Sciences, should . . .
- be able to locate all the major countries of the contemporary world on a map and have at least a rudimentary knowledge of their political, social, and economic systems as well as historical development.
- have developed an ongoing and ever-widening and deepening interest in current events in our country and world.
- have acquired a fundamental understanding of political science, sociology and economics and be able to apply this knowledge to analysis of past and present problems of human society.
- be able to interpret past and present ecological decisions and problems that have confronted and continue to plague human kind and develop a sense of individual and collective moral responsibility for the condition of the Earth as our habitat.
- be able to interpret past and present social problems in the light of his/her Christian faith and consequent commitment to justice.
- have been influenced to overcome narrowly nationalistic perspectives so as to develop a sense of solidarity with all humankind in accordance with his/her Christian commitment to justice.
- have some understanding of the proposition that it’s impossible to develop insight into the nature of man/woman as a social being without studying every major civilization.
- have basic knowledge of the origin, evolution, structure, and significance of all major civilizations (Europe, Russia, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, Africa, Islam, America and Latin America.)
- be thoroughly familiar with the American political system and have an understanding of events and periods of American history so as to be able to fulfill his/her obligations as a citizen.
- have been persuaded of the desirability of cultivating active civic responsibility and the virtue of patriotism while holding themselves and the United States government accountable to its founding principles.
- have developed some capacity for rational analysis and critical judgment of the opinions of others, even those of experts in the social sciences.
- be able to engage in genuine dialogue regarding plural and opposing interpretations and courses of action vis-à-vis historical and social problems.
- indicate mastery of the social scientific method by having composed research papers with notes and bibliography.
- be able to express himself or herself articulately in debate, discussion, and public speaking activities.
- have mastered a method of note-taking.
- be capable of outlining and summarizing what he/she has read.
- be familiar with fundamental catholic social doctrine as outlined on page 7.
- be able to integrate the study of man/woman in society into a larger framework of knowledge and life in that he/she sees some relationship between the social sciences and the following areas: theology and religion, the fine arts, the physical sciences and mathematics, philosophy, English language and literature, the foreign language he/she has studied, the community service he/she has performed through the school.
- have been encouraged to make a lifelong commitment to attain self-fulfillment by using knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in study of the social sciences to serve others in American society and elsewhere in the world.
- be able to apply principles of moral reasoning to historical situations and contemporary social problems.