Social Studies draws on topics from disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, primarily history, geography, political science, and economics, with contributions from other disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Uniting these disciplines is their focus on human activities, behaviors, and interactions with other humans and the environment.

Grade 8 Social Studies is a broad survey course that explores one thousand years of history, from the 7^th century to the early 18^th century. The big themes of the course center on the impact of contact and conflict between cultures. Students find Social Studies 8 topics engaging and relevant to the world they live in today. They will have the opportunity to study the collapse of world empires, the development of world religions, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation and Counter Reformation, exploration and trade, and the emergence of European colonialism. The story of Social Studies 8 will take students on a world wide journey, from Asia to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, to South America, and North America. Teachers strive to make connections between the past and the present throughout the coursework. Click here for more information about the S.S. Department.