SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT “Ours is a world of 24-hour-news cycles, global markets, and high-speed Internet. We need to look no further than our morning paper to see that our future, and the future of our children, is inextricably linked to the complex challenges of the global community. And for our children to be prepared to take their place in that world and rise to those challenges, they must first understand it.” Roderick Paige, Former U.S. Secretary of Education The Buckley Department of Social Sciences is committed to imparting a global and historical understanding of humanity to our students. Our young people are faced with an ever changing world filled with numerous complex events. Globalization and the information revolution have forced students to directly confront difficult realities. It is our determination that our students are able to comprehend and respond to their world in an informed and respectful manner. That understanding begins in the sixth and seventh grades with the knowledge and appreciation of global cultures, world geography, and current international events. A more conventional approach to historical inquiry begins in the eighth grade and is carried through to the twelfth grade. Substantial focus is placed on analyzing primary sources, taking into account historical interpretations, and critical social science writing. Finally, our curriculum is complemented with a number of compelling AP courses and electives that survey government, economics, social justice, world religions, and art history. All required courses, both AP and on-level, and AP US Government & Politics meet the UC’s “a” requirement for Social Science. All other elective courses meet the UC’s “g” elective requirement.
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