Jewish Monument in Berlin

 Citizens are not born capable of ruling. They must be educated to rule wisely and fairly. They must be drawn out of the egotism of childhood and the privacy of their homes into the public world of democratic reasoning, deliberation and consensus. This requires not only civility, but knowledge and skill

 

Thomas Jefferson, President of Unites States of America

 


WHY SOCIAL STUDIES? WHY HISTORY?

 

Studying social studies in general and History in particular helps students figure out their role in society as well as their place in history. By studying the past, students learn how institutions, traditions and ideals change as society modernizes. They also learn how cause and effect influence relationships between individuals, groups and nations.

 

Solutions to social problems require the insights that emerge from diverse perspectives and experiences. Citizens learn the skills of democracy just as they learn to read or compute. They learn through experience, training and practice. Effective social studies classrooms teach students each of the following Essentials democratic skills:

 

  • To actively listen, evaluate competing points of vi ew and formulate independent points of view.
  • To engage in public dialogue.

 

When citizens of a democracy are deprived of an effective social studies education it places both the citizen and the democracy at risk. Democratic illiteracy is no less destructive than reading illiteracy. Studying History and Social Studies is Essential for Good Citizenship: the cornerstone of democracy is the informed citizen.

 

As students mature, the study of history gives students the chance to develop their research skills and the ability to think critically. In this way, studying History help us to develop essential thinking skills such as:

 

  • Reading at the evaluation, synthesis, analysis and interpretation levels

 

  • Critical thinking skills through writing

 

  • Analytical thinking

 

To summarize, Students learn how to assess the validity of evidence, evaluate conflicting points of view and apply facts to making decisions. These are the skills of the real world!

 

 

"If you have got a new point of view about the World, you’ll have to find new ways of showing it”

Mark Rothko

 

Pilar Sánchez  has a double Degree in Literary Theory and Comparative Literature (2010), a Degree in History (2002), both by Salamanca University. She also has Advanced Studies in Philosophy.

 

She has been working as a teacher and researcher in  the Salamanca University, Art and Aesthetics Department, as an Art critic, a team member in specialised publications, teacher of Spanish as a foreign language in other countries (Ireland), Secondary teacher of Social Studies and Spanish Language and Literature in Madrid and Head of Department in SEK Les Alpes International School.

 

Her main goals when teaching are setting up the latest educational methodologies based on cooperative and blended learning, relying on emotional intelligence as one of the best means to enhance teacher and teenage students’ relationship.