Social Studies

Department Staff      Department Video: Social Studies

Corey Davis - US History, AP US History, Intro to Social Studies
John Kitzmann - Global Issues, West. Civ., World History, US Military History, Service Learning
Andrea Smith
 - Psychology, Sociology, AP Psychology
Mary Oehler - Global Issues, Economics, Civics
Craig Olson - Economics, Civics, Intro to Social Studies
Ryan Schwarz - US History, Online Civics, Human Geography, Intro to Social Studies 
Amelia Spielman - US History

Social Studies Mission Statement

The purpose of social studies is to help students assume an active role in today's world and to encourage them "to become life-long learners, caring individuals, and responsible citizens". To facilitate this, students will be challenged to: accept responsibility for their own education, accept the importance of social interaction in working to improve the conditions for all people, intelligently participate in the democratic process, and develop critical thinking skills. The social studies program seeks to encourage students to accept a diverse range of cultural differences and to value the worth and dignity of each individual in the global arena.


Biennial Washington D.C. Trip

Our biennial trips to D.C. began in 2010, and have been hugely successful. Each trip, 50-students head east to learn about our shared history, government and culture. You can see the trip blog for highlights of past adventures (www.mhsgoestowashington.blogspot.com). Each year just gets better and better. 


Advanced Placement Opportunities

The Social Studies Department is proud to offer a wide variety of interesting and rigorous courses including, Advanced Placement Psychology (AP Psych) and Advanced Placement US History (APUSH).


Careers in Social Studies

http://www.insidejobs.com/

Jobs to consider: advertising executive, analyst, archivist, broadcaster, campaign worker, consultant, congressional aide, editor, foreign service officer, foundation staffer, information specialist, intelligence agent, journalist, legal assistant, lobbyist, personnel manager, public relations staffer, researcher, teacher, economist, psychologist . . . the list can be almost endless.

As Educators
Elementary Schools
Secondary Schools
Postsecondary Education
Historic Sites and Museums

As Researchers
Museums and Historical Organizations
Cultural Resources Management and Historic Preservation
Think Tanks

As Communicators
Writers and Editors
Journalists
Documentary Editors
Producers of Multimedia Material
Historians As Information Managers
Archivists
Records Managers
Librarians
Information Managers

As Advocates
Lawyers and Paralegals
Litigation Support
Legislative Staff Work
Foundations

In Businesses and Associations
Corporations
Contractors
Nonprofit Associations