Social Studies Program

Our goals consist of but are not restricted to:

1. Educating the whole person, with a special emphasis placed on the promotion of the tenets of Catholic social teaching. Catholic social teaching rests upon two pivotal affirmations: One being that all persons are and ought to be part of society, while all social, economic and political institutions should serve the betterment of humankind.
2. Teaching history as a series of interconnected events, which are inextricably linked as the story of humankind continues to unfold.
3. Fostering a greater knowledge and appreciation of the tremendous diversity that exists within humankind.
4. Enabling each student to form his own hypothesis on a controversial topic in history, to engage in independent research around this hypothesis, and to form a final opinion based on the facts researched.

Course: Modern European History Honors ACC (SST 450) *

Prerequisite: Junior or senior status (With instructor approval, some sophomores may substitute this course for SST 200.) Description: This course is an accelerated study of European history from fourteenth century to the present. Topics explored are the Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment, Exploration, Absolutism, Scientific Revolution, French Revolution, Napoleon, Nationalism and the rise of nation-states, Industrialization, Imperialism, World War I, the rise of totalitarian governments, World War II, the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union. An emphasis is placed on the analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary source documents as well as independent research. Students may elect to register for three hours of college credit through the University of Missouri—St. Louis’ Advanced College Credit program. Upon completion of this course, students may elect to enroll in Modern European History AP (SST 550).

Course: Current Issues (SST 400)

Prerequisite: Junior or senior status Description: This course provides students the opportunity to examine challenges facing the United States and the global community. The course will provide an in-depth examination of political and economic institutions, the prevalence of prejudice and discrimination, and issues in education. In addition to these enduring issues, the class will analyze other contemporary topics, as well as recent events. Students will frequently engage in discussion and debate, and a heavy emphasis is placed on research to promote the formulation of informed opinions.

Course: U.S. Government (SST 220)

Prerequisite: Sophomore, junior, or senior status In this course, each student examines the dynamics and forces that shape the U.S. political system. Each student will investigate and evaluate the foundations of American government, the Congress, its structure, the system of checks and balances, the law-making process, the Presidency, Presidential powers, and finally, the Federal and State Court systems. Special consideration is given to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.  

Course: United States History Honors ACC (SST350) *

Prerequisite: Departmental approval and junior or senior status Description: This course is a more intensive study of American History for students who have demonstrated a strong understanding of history in their freshman and sophomore years. The same basic topics will be covered in this course as in American History, but on a more in-depth scale. In addition, the students will learn to interpret history using ideas of historians as a basis for learning. Students may elect to register for three hours of college credit through the 1-8-1-8 program sponsored by St. Louis University. A senior may take this course after taking SST300 as a junior.

Course: American History (SST 300)

Prerequisite: SST 100 and SST 200 and junior status Description: This course provides the student with a background in American History to develop the student's abilities in interpreting and analyzing historical material. Beginning with the Age of European Exploration, this course explores the various historical themes, which run through the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Topics include: Colonialism, the War for Independence, the Constitutional Convention, Federalism, the Era of Good Feelings, Jacksonian Democracy, Slavery, Sectionalism, States’ Rights, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, Reform Movements, the World Wars, the New Deal and the Cold War.

Course: Modern World Civilizations (SST 200)

Prerequisite: SST 100 and sophomore status Description: This course is a continuation of material covered in Ancient World Civilizations (SST 100). This course studies the expansion of the modern world, the modern world in crisis, and the world since 1945. The students are expected to complete a research paper in this course.

Course: Ancient & Medieval World Civilizations (SST 100)

Prerequisite: Freshman status Description: This course will allow the student to evaluate various civilizations from man’s appearance on earth to the Age of Revolution from a global perspective. Specifically, the student will witness the beginnings of civilization, the growth of civilizations, the world in transition, and the beginnings of the modern world.