 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
De Smet Social Studies Department
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but with the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take power from them, but to inform their discretion through instruction."
Thomas Jefferson, 1820
Social Studies Department Course Descriptions
The mission of the De Smet Social Studies Department is to introduce our students to a variety of cultures and human experiences as they become members of society with a high degree of tolerance with respect to their fellow human beings. Our teachers also make every effort to help students think critically, to view events with perspective and objectivity, and to appreciate the complexity of human experience and the difficulty of interpreting it. We hope they become lifelong learners as they take on the responsibilities of citizenship and the challenges of human existence.
One of the key missions of De Smet Jesuit High School is to help our students become intellectually competent [The Grad at Grad]. The Social Studies Department seeks to engage our students in an examination of the world in which they live. Through traditionally history courses such as World Studies, American History, and Western Civilization, students learn to examine past trends, decisions and key figures as they impact the development of human history. Through elective courses such as Economics and Psychology, students examine society through the filter of a specialized discipline. Contemporary society issues of government and international relations are discussed in such courses as American Government and International Affairs. American students today live in a vibrant, diverse world and the Social Studies Department at De Smet Jesuit High School seeks to reflect that diversity.
De Smet requires that each student complete three credit units spread out over four years in Social Studies but most take additional courses as electives. A De Smet student's first course in Social Studies is World Studies, a three semester course that begins with World Studies I (one semester) and continues sophomore year with World Studies II ( two semesters). Some sophomores are invited to take World Studies II as an Honors AP course.
Juniors at De Smet are required to take two semesters of American History. Honors students may choose to take either Honors American as an AP/1818 college credit course or American Studies, also available for college credit in the AP/1818 program.
Seniors are required to take American Government for one semester, completing their 3 credit unit requirement. In addition students may choose to take a number of electives such as Economics, Psychology, International Affairs, or Honors Western Civilization. The Social Studies department also participates in the Summer Academy program at De Smet where electives in the American Civil War and The Vietnam period are offered for elective credit and available for college credit though the St. Louis Community College.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |