social studies Department

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OVERVIEW

The Social Studies Department at Holy Name High School forms students who think critically, act compassionately, and lead with moral conviction.

Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, our program helps students understand the world through both reason and faith. By exploring history, geography, government, economics, and culture, students learn to ask big questions: What is truth? What is justice? What does it mean to be human?

We believe that education should not only sharpen the mind but also shape the conscience. Through discussion, reflection, and analysis, students are challenged to see history and society through the moral lens of the Church, discovering how Gospel values guide decisions in a complex and changing world.

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  • Holy Name’s Social Studies curriculum integrates the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) strands while adding a unique faith dimension. Students explore how historical events, political systems, and cultural movements reveal humanity’s search for truth and justice.

    Curricular Strands Include:

    • American Heritage

    • People in Society

    • Global Connections and World Interactions

    • Decision Making and Resources

    • Democratic Processes

    • Technical Advances and Ecological Issues

    • Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

    • Religious Heritage and Christian Humanistic Values — Holy Name’s distinctive strand, emphasizing how faith shapes moral action in history and civic life

    • World History

    • United States History

    • American Government

    • Economics and Financial Literacy

    • Psychology

    • Sociology

    • Modern World Issues

    • AP U.S. History

    • AP Government and Politics

    Each course builds reasoning, research, and communication skills while inviting students to interpret human experience through both critical and ethical perspectives.

  • Student learning is evaluated through a range of assessments designed to measure not only comprehension but also moral reasoning and creative problem-solving:

    • Written Tests and Quizzes

    • Research and Analytical Writing

    • Projects and Presentations

    • Debates and Current Events Discussions

    • Group Collaboration and Reflection

    Students are encouraged to connect their studies to real-world questions of justice, leadership, and responsibility.

Department Philosophy

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Social Studies at Holy Name invites students to go beyond memorization — to evaluate, question, and engage. We cultivate habits of inquiry that are grounded in Catholic social teaching, helping students recognize the dignity of every person, the importance of community, and the call to work for the common good.

Our classrooms emphasize:

  • Critical thinking – examining issues from multiple perspectives

  • Ethical reflection – viewing human actions and systems through the light of faith

  • Civil discourse – learning to communicate respectfully and thoughtfully

  • Civic responsibility – understanding how individual choices influence the world

Through this balanced approach, students develop both intellectual integrity and moral clarity.

At Holy Name, you don’t just attend a school—you join a movement.
Rooted in faith and built on community, the Green Wave is where students rise, lead, and lift others with them.

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