Social Sciences Department

Ms. Jennifer DiFrancesca, Director 508-841-8823

The Social Sciences are rooted in a diverse but common heritage, and together they offer insights into the nature and causes of political affairs, social and economic patterns and human behavior. Critical inquiry about man, society and history generates a broad awareness and deeper understanding of the human experience. The social sciences encourage students to develop an interdisciplinary perspective of the world around them through the study of history, literature, economics, society, philosophy and psychology.

All of the required courses offered by the SHS Social Sciences Department are aligned with the content, concepts and skills outlined in the Massachusetts History and Social Science Frameworks. The elective courses offered by the Social Sciences Department also incorporate the concepts and skills outlined in the Massachusetts History and Social Science Frameworks.

In the courses that follow, students are provided with challenging and diverse learning opportunities, which encourage them to explore their role in and relationship to their local community, country and the world. Students also examine issues of individualism, socio-economic class, race, nationalism and globalization. In addition, students will develop their ability to research effectively, think critically and to express their ideas in written, visual and oral formats. Our goal as Social Science teachers is to empower students to be active, capable and caring contributors to the world in which they live.