Social Studies

“Social Studies is the interdisciplinary study of citizenship and government, economics, geography, history, and other disciplines in the social sciences and humanities in which students develop the content knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to be informed and engaged citizens in the contemporary world. According to the National Council for the Social Studies, the purpose of social studies is to develop civic competence and ‘help young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.’ “

(Source: Minnesota Department of Education Standards, Curriculum and Instruction/Social Studies)

For more information, view the Minnesota Department of Education Social Studies Substrands and Standards curriculum page

The state uses the diagram below to show the four primary disciplines in social studies curriculum, the substrands of study within each, and the learning skills students will use in the course of their studies.