The Social Studies program of the Somerset Hills School District provides an integrated study of history, geography, civics, economics, and related social science disciplines. This program emphasizes active engagement in the learning process, research and inquiry, utilization of current technologies, and service to others. The ultimate goal of the program is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions as members of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world – in short, to become well-informed citizens of the global community.

Our state-required course offerings---World History, US History I, & US History II---are provided on a multi-tier system designed to meet the needs of individual students. A student may work at the honors level, the college-prep level, or the academic level. For US History I, an AP level is introduced for students already working at a college-level; for US History II, the IB course is run along the same lines as the AP course, but for students interested in obtaining the IB diploma. In each required course, students cover the same material at each level, but at different speeds and depths and with progressively more challenging work required.

Our elective offerings attempt to provide students with introductory exposure to some of the social sciences (economics, government, psychology, and sociology), as well as providing advanced study in European and American History. Within the past few years, additional offerings include 20th century History through Film, Popular Music in American History, and American Humanities. The curriculum is reviewed annually, and when possible, new offerings are provided to meet student interests.

Experience has demonstrated that this approach, coupled with the ability of students to move within these levels in accordance with individual performance, has served our students well. This seamless articulation from one level to another, at the end of each school year, is enhanced by the efforts of the Guidance Department and the Special Services Department. For more information on movement between the levels, or for differences among the levels, please refer to the Guidance section and the Program of Studies link.

Collectively, it is hoped that our faculty, our programs, and our materials enrich the students’ understanding of the world they inhabit. In all classes, we infuse current events into discussions and try to draw parallels between the past, the present, and possibly the future; students are encouraged to think of themselves as part, not simply as onlookers, of history.

The Social Studies faculty promotes the belief that all citizens must be involved in their community, in keeping with the school’s mission for service learning. Department faculty members serve as coaches of multiple teams; advise the National Honor Society, Mock Trial team, Frisbee and Psychology clubs, as well as the 9th and 10th grade classes; and coordinate the Harvard Model Congress and Freedom’s Answer programs. The faculty also participate actively in designing community service projects for their respective classes, and for the overall school population.